Securing power and advanced weaponry in Space Engineers often comes down to finding one critical resource: uranium ore. As the primary fuel source for nuclear reactors and a key component in powerful late-game ammunition, locating this rare resource is a top priority for spacefaring engineers. Understanding where uranium spawns and how to properly search for it will save you hours of aimless drift in space.
Where Uranium Ore Spawns in Space Engineers
Since game update 1.189, uranium ore no longer generates on planets or moons anywhere in the system. Your search must focus entirely on deep space, specifically targeting floating asteroids scattered throughout the cosmos. Searching planetary surfaces for uranium is a common mistake that will only waste valuable time and hydrogen fuel.
Asteroid clusters offer the best chance of encountering a deposit, though distribution remains completely random. While every asteroid has a chance to house ore, uranium remains one of the rarest naturally occurring materials in the game. Patience and a systematic search plan are essential when hunting for this elusive resource.
How to Identify Uranium Deposits
Recognizing uranium ore visually is one of the fastest ways to spot a deposit from a distance. Uranium deposits feature a distinct, dark gray to deep black coloration that stands out against typical asteroid stone under direct sunlight. Using a ship camera to zoom in on distant asteroids allows you to inspect surface textures before flying over.
However, many rich deposits are hidden deep within the core of an asteroid rather than on the outer shell. Because standard handheld detectors have limited range, relying solely on visual surface checks can cause you to miss massive underground veins. Drilling shallow inspection tunnels into large asteroids helps your detectors pick up deeper signals.
Best Searching Strategies for Exploration
To maximize efficiency, build a small exploration scout equipped with a large-grid ore detector via a rotor connection. Setting the detector range to its maximum value allows you to scan wide areas without needing to land on every rock. Always mark discovered asteroids with custom GPS coordinates to avoid searching the same location twice.
Another effective strategy involves scouting using a suit jetpack while carrying minimal supplies. Flying from one asteroid to the next with a hand drill drawn gives you a quick, low-cost scanning method. If you run low on energy or oxygen, you can simply mark your findings and respawn back at your home base.
Refining and Utilizing Uranium Ore
Once you extract raw uranium ore, you must process it inside a standard Refinery rather than a Basic Refinery. The base refining conversion yields 1 ingot for every 100 kilograms of ore processed. Attaching Yield Modules to your Refinery significantly improves this output, making your mined deposits last much longer.
Refined uranium ingots directly fuel your Large and Small Grid Reactors, generating massive amounts of clean electrical power. Additionally, ingots are essential for crafting heavy artillery shells, railgun sabots, and explosive rockets. Stockpiling uranium before engaging hostile factions ensures your capital ships never run out of power or combat ammunition.
