Enable Drone Support in Space Engineers

This guide walks you through enabling drone support in a Space Engineers world, which allows you to use remote-controlled (RC) blocks and AI-controlled ships, commonly called drones. You’ll learn the exact world settings to adjust, how to set up a basic drone, and how to troubleshoot common issues. Before starting, ensure you have admin rights to the world and have built a ship with a Remote Control block and an Antenna.

What You’ll Need

• A Space Engineers world where you have admin access (single-player or server owner).
• A ship or rover with a Remote Control block installed.
• An Antenna (or Laser Antenna for long-range) on both the drone and your base/ship to maintain a connection.
• A GPS coordinate or a known location for the drone to fly to.
• Power: ensure the drone has a battery or reactor with sufficient charge.

Step-by-Step

1. Open World Settings: In the main menu, select your world and click Edit Settings (or Load Game then Settings).
2. Enable Drones: In the World tab, scroll to Advanced and check the box for Enable Drones. This allows remote control blocks to function without a player sitting in them.
3. Set Ownership: If you are on a server, ensure your faction owns the drone. Go to the drone’s Control Panel, click Info, and set ownership to yourself or your faction.
4. Configure Remote Control Block: On the drone, open the Remote Control block’s control panel. Set the Control Mode to Remote (not Patrol or Flight).
5. Set Up Antenna: Ensure the drone’s antenna is powered and has a sufficient broadcast radius. On your base, place an antenna with a matching range. The drone must be within range to receive commands.
6. Add a GPS Coordinate: In the drone’s remote control block, click Add GPS and enter a coordinate you want the drone to fly to. You can also copy a GPS from your own HUD.
7. Test the Connection: From your base, open the remote control block’s menu (via the antenna link). You should see the drone listed. Click Control to take manual control and verify you can steer it.
8. Set Autonomous Flight: For autonomous operation, set the remote control block to Flight mode, then click Set Home and Set Destination using the GPS you added. The drone will fly automatically when you press Start.
9. Save and Test: Save the world, then restart it to ensure the settings persist. Test the drone with a short flight.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to enable the Drones setting: The most common issue is skipping the world setting. Without it, remote control blocks are inert.
• Antenna range too small: If the drone flies out of antenna range, you lose control. Increase range or use a laser antenna.
• Drone not powered: A dead battery means no control. Check the drone’s power reserves.
• Ownership not set: If the drone is not owned by you or your faction, you cannot control it.
• Using Patrol mode instead of Flight: Patrol mode is for AI waypoints, not direct remote control.

Tips

• Use a Camera on the drone to see where it’s going—add one and bind it to a toolbar for first-person view.
• Set up a timer block to automate the drone’s actions, like turning on a beacon or deploying a payload.
• For long-range drones, use a laser antenna with a relay satellite to extend range.
• Always test with a cheap, small drone before using an expensive one.

Troubleshooting

Drone doesn’t respond: Check that the world setting is enabled, the drone is powered, and the antenna is within range. Re-set ownership if needed.

Cannot see drone in remote control menu: Ensure the antenna on the drone is set to broadcast, and the antenna on your base is receiving. Check the drone’s antenna range.

Drone flies erratically: This often happens when the drone has gyroscopes not properly configured or the remote control block is not aligned with the ship’s center of mass. Rebuild the drone with a balanced design.

Drone won’t take off: Check the drone’s thrusters—are they pointing the right way? Do you have enough thrust for the ship’s mass? Also, ensure the remote control block is in Flight mode, not Patrol.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a mod to enable drones?
A: No, drone support is a built-in world setting in Space Engineers. No mods are required.

Q: Can I use drones without an antenna?
A: No, an antenna is required to maintain a connection between the drone and your control station. Without it, you cannot send commands.

Q: Can drones be used on planets?
A: Yes, but they need atmospheric thrusters or hydrogen thrusters to work in atmosphere. Ion thrusters only work in space.

Q: How many drones can I control at once?
A: There is no hard limit, but performance may degrade with many drones. Each drone needs its own remote control block and antenna.

Q: Why can’t I control a drone that belongs to another player?
A: You must be in the same faction or have the drone’s ownership transferred to you. Drones are not shared by default.

Q: Can I set up a drone to automatically mine?
A: Yes, with the use of a script or by setting up waypoints and a timer block. However, this requires advanced setup and is not a built-in feature.

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