Interplatform Requests

Interplatform Requests

A Factorio Space Age mod that adds per-planet interplatform request sources for space platforms, allowing platforms to request items from other platforms orbiting the same planet.

Features

• Per-Planet Request Sources: Adds one "Interplatform - {Planet}" button per planet to the "Import from" grid in platform hub requests, each with a composited cargo pod + planet icon
• Cargo Pod Delivery: Items are transferred between platforms via cargo pods
• Automatic Transfers: Items are pulled from platform hubs on other platforms at the same orbit
• Conflict Prevention: Two platforms that both request the same item+quality won't transfer that item between each other (pairwise check prevents circular deliveries)
• Planet-Scoped Filtering: Requests only activate when the platform is orbiting the matching planet
• Status Panel: See request satisfaction, in-transit items, and available items on other platforms at a glance
• Item Reserves: Reserve items on a hub so they won't be sent to other platforms
• No New Items: Uses the existing platform hub request system

How It Works

When you set a platform hub request with an interplatform source (e.g., "Interplatform - Nauvis"):

1. The mod checks if the platform is orbiting that planet
2. Scans other platforms at the same orbit for available items
3. Skips source platforms that also request the same item+quality (conflict prevention)
4. Sends a cargo pod from the source platform to deliver items
5. Items are added to the requesting platform's hub

Quick Start

1. Have 2+ platforms orbiting the same planet (e.g., both at Nauvis orbit)
2. Open a platform hub on the platform that needs items
3. Click the logistics button to set requests
4. Set a request for an item (e.g., Iron Plate, minimum: 100)
5. Select "Interplatform - Nauvis" from the "Import from" grid of buttons
6. Put items in another platform's hub at the same location
7. Items will transfer automatically via cargo pod

Status Panel

When you open a platform hub, the Interplatform Requests status panel shows:

• Need: How many items are still needed to satisfy the request
• Satisfaction: Current amount / requested amount
• In Transit: Items currently being delivered via cargo pod
• Available: Items available on other platforms at the same location (accounting for reserves)
• From: Which platform the items will come from

The status panel updates automatically every second.

Reserves

Reserves let you keep a minimum number of items on a hub so they won't be sent to other platforms.

• Open a platform hub to see the Reserves section below the status table
• Click the item picker to add a new reserve
• Set the amount in the text field (saves automatically as you type)
• Left-click an existing reserve's item icon to change the item
• Right-click an existing reserve's item icon to remove the reserve
• Reserves are per-hub — each platform hub has its own reserve settings
• An item can only have one reserve entry per hub

Example Setup

Platform A (Requester):

• Orbiting Nauvis
• Hub has logistic request: Iron Plate (min: 100), Import from: Planetary Orbit
• Currently has: 20 Iron Plates

Platform B (Provider):

• Orbiting Nauvis
• Hub has: 500 Iron Plates (with 100 reserved)

Result: The mod transfers 80 Iron Plates from Platform B to Platform A via cargo pod, respecting Platform B's 100-item reserve.

Key Features

• Same Orbit Only: Only transfers between platforms at the exact same space location
• Smart Transfer: Only requests the difference (current + in-transit vs requested)
• Reserve System: Keep items on a hub for local use
• No Duplicates: Prevents multiple transfers for the same request
• Performance Friendly: Checks every 60 ticks (1 second)
• Works Alongside Vanilla: Normal planet-to-platform logistics still work

Technical Details

• Scan Interval: 60 ticks (1 second)
• Delivery Method: Cargo pods
• Source: Platform hubs only
• Destination: Platform hubs only
• Transfer Amount: Exact amount needed (requested - current - in_transit), capped by available minus reserves
• Quality Support: Yes (matches quality in requests)

Compatibility

• Factorio Version: 2.0+
• Space Age: Required
• Other Mods: Should be compatible with most mods
• Multiplayer: Yes, fully supported

Limitations

• Only works between platforms at the exact same space location
• Transfers from platform hubs only (not other containers)
• Transfers to platform hubs only
• One transfer per request per second (performance optimization)

FAQ

Q: How do I use this mod? A: Set a platform hub request and select "Planetary Orbit" from the "Import from" grid of buttons.

Q: Where is "Planetary Orbit" in the list? A: It appears in the "Import from" grid of buttons.

Q: How do I know it's working? A: Open the platform hub to see the status panel showing request satisfaction and in-transit items.

Q: Can I still request from planets? A: Yes! Just select the planet name instead of "Planetary Orbit". The mod doesn't interfere with normal logistics.

Q: What if multiple platforms need the same item? A: Each request is processed independently. The mod checks all platforms for available items.

Q: Does it work with quality items? A: Yes! It matches the quality specified in the request.

Q: How do I prevent a hub from giving away all its items? A: Use the Reserves feature to specify how many of each item should be kept on the hub.

Development & CI

This mod has a GitHub Actions workflow that:

• On push / pull requests:
• Runs Stylua to lint/format all Lua sources.