No Man's Sky Cosmos Update Transforms Outer Space Into Living Playground

No Man's Sky's Cosmos update, teased during Hello Games' Tenth Year Anniversary video, is now available as a free automatic update and significantly changes how players interact with outer space. Previously, space served mostly as a transition between planets, stations, and freighters, with limited gameplay beyond occasional pirate encounters. Cosmos makes space feel more alive by introducing scanable points of interest after warping to a system, similar to planetary exploration.

The update adds several major features. Space Hulks are massive structures that can be stripped using the Gravitino Coil gravity gun introduced in the Remnant update, with salvaged chunks usable via a new ship tractor beam. Over-stripping a hulk may cause it to melt down and explode. Space outposts, similar to planetary outposts, allow trading with alien lifeforms, map purchases, and mission acquisition, though some may be infected with biological hazards requiring cleanup.

Asteroid belts now offer resources beyond standard gold, silver, and tritium, with some large enough to land on and build star bases. Orbital bases provide free-floating modular construction anywhere in space. Space station ownership, described by Hello Games as the most requested feature, lets players buy and decorate stations inside and out. Alliances form community networks with leaderboards, and players can reach their system's star center.

An optional expedition titled 'Our Journey Continues' features milestones tied to each of the forty major updates since the game's 2016 launch. The update is available on Steam and PS VR2.