Editing Pod launcher

{{Infobox main|misc
| name = Pod launcher
| image = Pod launcher south.png
| description = A fueling port for launching one transport pod. Pod launchers can launch as a group - but the launchers must be placed adjacent to each other.
| type = Building
| type2 = Misc
| placeable = true
| passability = impassable
| cover = 1
| minifiable = false
| size = 1 ˣ 2
| flammability = 0.5
| hp = 200
| terrain affordance = medium
| research = transport pod
| skill 1 = Construction
| skill 1 level = 6
| work to make = 3000
| resource 1 = Steel
| resource 1 amount = 50
| resource 2 = Component
| resource 2 amount = 1
}}
The '''pod launcher''' deploys a singular [[transport pod]] elsewhere in the world.

== Acquisition ==
Pod launchers can be constructed once the [[Research#{{P|Required Research}}|{{P|Required Research}}]] research project has been completed. They require {{Required Resources}}, {{Ticks|{{P|Work To Make}}}} of work, and a [[{{P|Skill 1}}]] skill of {{P|Skill 1 Level}}.

== Summary==
Pod launchers launch [[transport pod]]s, where 1 launcher can hold 1 pod. Transport pods must be built on a pod launcher's loading zone. Each transport pod can hold 150 kg of items.

Pod launchers require {{Icon Small|chemfuel}} [[chemfuel]] in order to launch. Each tile of distance requires 2.25 chemfuel (rounded down). Launchers can send pods up to 66 tiles away, which requires 150 chemfuel to do so. Extra fuel remains in the pod for future use. If you deconstruct the launcher, any remaining fuel will be dropped in item form, though the normal loss of the required resources will occur.

=== Launch targets ===
Pods can be launched at an empty tile to start a [[caravan]], at a caravan itself to add to it, or at a faction base, colony, or event space. Manned pods dropping at an unloaded faction base can choose to drop at the edge or center. When dropping into a loaded map, such as a player-controlled colony (including its own tile), players can choose the pods' exact drop point. Be careful with the landing site, as the pods can go through constructed [[roof]]. While they don't deal any damage directly, the collapsing roof can damage nearby items.

Dropping an unmanned pod, with items inside, into a faction base will contribute towards [[goodwill]] proportional to the [[market value]] of the items. Dropping an unmanned pod to an empty tile causes the items to be lost. [[Toxic wastepack]]s {{BiotechIcon}} disposed of this way will cause pollution on the given tile, annoying nearby factions.

=== Grouped launchers ===
Launchers can be grouped, allowing you to fire multiple transport pods at the same time. They have to be "adjacent", sharing 1 tile of length of a common border. Touching corner-to-corner or via a Transport Pod touching both launchers will not work. In effect, grouped launchers can only be places in a row lengthwise or in a "spooning L" formation (where the foot of the L is the Pod).

Grouped launchers will purposefully avoid their pod's individual storage capacity. This can avoid wasting capacity when loading multiple, heavy objects (like colonists), or allow you to launch objects that are too heavy for 1 pod (like an [[elephant]]). Otherwise, grouping launchers is mostly for convenience.

== Analysis ==
Transport pods can be invaluable for creating [[ally|allies]], despite their cost ({{Required Resources|Transport pod}} for each pod, plus chemfuel and the launcher itself). Depending on the terrain and [[time|season]], it could take many days just to get to a [[faction base]], during which colonists are not working and are vulnerable to ambush. The cost is often worth it for midgame colonies, and is minimal for those that can [[deep drill]] steel and have [[fabrication bench|Fabrication]].

Due to the game's inefficiency in loading large stocks, it's best to create a stockpile right next to the pods and haul all desired items there before loading the pods, to reduce time spent going back and forth. Once inside the pods, pawns will keep their needs, meaning if you load them hungry or exhausted, they will be hungry and exhausted upon arrival.

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Pod launcher max range.jpg|Maximum range of a launcher
Pod launcher with fuel bar.png|Partially filled pod launcher
</gallery>
<gallery>
Pod launcher south.png|Facing south
Pod launcher north.png|Facing north
Pod launcher east.png|Facing east
Pod launcher west.png|Facing west
</gallery>

== Version history ==
* [[Version/1.1.0|1.1.0]] - Refueling is now toggleable.

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