Contract mechanics
Contracts translate narrative goals into balance sheets. Read them like systems engineering specs: deliverables, verification methods, payment triggers, and kill clauses. The best players sequence work so partial completion still captures value when sponsors change priorities mid-campaign.
Milestones and cash flow
Align expenditures with incoming milestones. Heavy upfront spending without near-term verification is how you lose liquidity during a scrub or launch slip. Where possible, negotiate or select overlapping objectives so one vehicle pass checks multiple boxes.
Reputation and follow-on work
Sponsors remember clean deliveries. A reliable lunar program unlocks belt and Mars tiers faster than risky hero shots. Occasionally decline work that stains your track record for marginal profit.
Compatibility with fleet planning
Stack contracts that share vehicles, pads, and ground crews. Divergent processing flows multiply standing costs. When conflicts arise, default to protecting cyclical routes that anchor your baseline revenue.
FAQ
Should I always take the highest payout?
No—risk-adjusted value matters. A smaller contract with clean requirements often beats a fragile megaproject. Contracts table
How do penalties interact with schedules?
Late milestones can cascade fees and reputation hits. Build float before you promise aggressive dates.