No Man's Sky Cosmos Released

The Cosmos expansion, formally designated as Update 7.0, was introduced as part of a tenth-anniversary retrospective celebrating a decade of active post-launch development and over forty major content updates. In an anniversary statement, studio lead Sean Murray reflected on the growth of the community over the past decade, noting that players have still explored less than one percent of the in-game planets. Murray also confirmed that while work continues on the separate upcoming title Light No Fire, dedicated development remains focused on expanding the universe of this space survival title.

Unlike earlier content releases that concentrated heavily on surface exploration, base building improvements, and planetary biome tweaks, this expansion centers entirely on transforming open space into an interactive destination. It replaces transient space encounters with persistent celestial features, revamped spatial navigation systems, and new structural gameplay mechanics designed for spacefarers.

A core feature of Update 7.0 is the ability to assume direct ownership of space stations across inhabited systems. Players can earn trust from local authorities to become a space station director. As director, players gain full control over customizing the facility, styling the central lobby, adding ancillary rooms, and tailoring exterior visual elements to welcome or deter visiting Travellers.

Station leadership links directly into the new galactic alliance system. Alliance members can coordinate exploration efforts and compete for control over expansive star system territories. Station directors have the unique authority to found an alliance, designing a custom title and visual banner that spreads across the galaxy.

Base building expands beyond planetary surfaces into deep space through orbital construction tools. Players can deploy a specialized deep-space base computer directly into empty space, claiming an open volumetric space as their personal territory. This mechanic allows players to build custom free-floating habitats, industrial platforms, or sprawling celestial settlements without needing planetary ground anchor points.

Inhabited systems now spawn permanent deep-space outposts managed by various alien lifeforms. Players can dock at these isolated structures to process rare mineral deposits, interact with local quartermasters for specialized trading, and accept high-reward deep-space contracts.

Exploration in deep space includes encounters with colossal derelict shipwrecks drifting amidst asteroid fields and planetary debris. Navigating these giant hulks requires careful spacewalking through narrow chokepoints and crumbling, rusted chambers. Explorers must extract high-value technologies and rare cargo from the derelicts before structural hull integrity collapses completely.

The expansion introduces physical salvage hauling mechanics. Players can extract large physical components from wrecked vessels and transport the heavy material back to remote outposts for processing and payment, adding a practical logistics layer to space exploration.

Space travel receives an overhaul through the introduction of a complete star system map. This tactical display provides a clear bird's-eye view of system geography and persistent points of interest, allowing players to plan deliberate sub-light trajectories rather than relying solely on random pulse drive discoveries. The map retains exploration mystery by keeping secret anomalies hidden until directly scanned or approached.

Additional environmental and vehicle upgrades in Update 7.0 include physical stars, long-haul travel mechanics, improved cloud rendering visible from high orbit, and expanded functionality for corvette class ships. The update also introduces a dedicated 10th-anniversary expedition titled Our Journey Continues.