Astroneer’s planetary traversal has just become a lot easier with the all-new Jet Powered Update, featuring the high-tech VTOL and Hoverboard speeding up the journey across the land and air. Before, players were at the mercy of the rough and jagged alien terrains, frantically bumbling and bouncing about in their Rovers in a Death Stranding-like fashion, hauling their cargo across the challenging topography. Now, the latest Astroneer patch notes have introduced a new form of airborne transportation, along with a host of new missions, recipe updates, and cosmetics.

Two New Flying Vehicles

The VTOL offers an impressive range in mobility, such as hovering in place or soaring through the atmosphere. Players can use this versatile aerial vehicle to scan the landscape from above for resources, effortlessly bypass rugged terrain, or delve into the vertical depths of terrestrial cave systems. 

  • Fuel: Hydrazine
  • Storage: 2x medium slots, 2x small auxiliary slots, 1x fuel slot
  • Recipe: 1x EXO Chip, 1x Tungsten Carbide, 1x Silicone
  • Printer: Medium Printer

The Hoverboard is as groovy as it sounds and allows you to glide over the ground with ease. Traveling up or downhill won’t be an issue as gravity doesn’t affect your mobility while riding. But be careful when zipping off a high ledge since failing to perform a proper landing could result in a rather painful halt in your traversal. The official Astroneer patch notes recommend you pair the Hoverboard with a Solid-Fuel Jump Jet.

  • Power: 1 Power/second
  • Recipe: 1x EXO Chip
  • Printer: Backpack

The Leveling Block is Now Available in Adventure Mode

For those who aren’t familiar with the Leveling Block, it was an item that was only available in Astroneer’s Creative Mode. Players can use it to create smooth, even surfaces with no ridges or bumps. Thanks to the Jet Powered Update, the Leveling Block can now be printed in Adventure Mode. However, do bear in mind that the Adventure Mode variant comes with limited uses. 

  • Byte Cost: 500
  • Recipe: 1x Full Small Soil Canister
  • Printer: Backpack

New Missions to Tackle

The Astroneer patch notes additionally feature new missions for investigating experimental EXO Dynamics data. Players will navigate to the Terran Moon Planet Desolo and exotic Vesania to recover the data and synthesize schematics for crafting new vehicles. Compass navpoints have been integrated to assist in finding the planetary points of interest. 

EXO Chips – A New Rare Resource

EXO Chips are the new resource required to craft vehicles and machinery, such as the new VTOL and Hoverboard. Found on all planets, they are stored in EXO Caches that can be blown up with dynamite. They can be located using your compass. The following crafting recipes have been updated to include EXO Chips in their blueprints:

  • Small Camera: 1x EXO Chip
  • Hydrazine Thruster: 1x EXO Chip, 1x Steel
  • Winch: 1x EXO Chip, 1x Rubber
  • Trade Platform: 1x EXO Chip, 1x Tungsten, 1x Iron
  • Large Shredder: 1x EXO Chip, 1x Tungsten Carbide, 1x Iron
  • XL Shredder: 2x EXO Chip, 1x Tungsten Carbide, 1x Steel
  • Auto Extractor: 1x EXO Chip, 1x Tungsten Carbide, 1x Rubber, 1x Steel
  • Large Rover: 2x EXO Chip, 1x Aluminum Alloy, 1x Rubber
  • Large Shuttle: 2x EXO Chip, 1x Titanium Alloy, 1x Ceramic

Debris and Scrap Adjustments

The type of items found in large station debris on all planets has been adjusted to be more useful and valuable. In addition, the scrap produced from shredding debris has been universally increased. 

Improved Thruster UI

The Jet Powered Update also features updated tooltips for shuttles and thrusters to display real-time fuel levels and launch capacity.

EXO Automated Mass Production Protocol

According to the Astroneer patch notes, the Automated Mass Production Protocol is being reintroduced. The Limited Time Event was initially available last summer after the Automation Update. 

The following are rewards for completing the tasks involved in the event:

“AMPP Throwback” Bundle – Rewarded for completing the Compound Stage Contains cosmetics rewarded from the previous year:

  • “VR Vision” (Mask)
  • “Gearhead” (Hat)
  • “Metal Gear” (Visor)
  • NEW “Copper Plate” Palette – Rewarded for completing the Aluminum Stage
  • NEW “Cogpiece” Mask – Rewarded for completing the Aluminum Alloy Stage
  • Useful incremental rewards along the way and randomized recurring rewards at the end of the event by submitting Astronium – including QT-RTGs & EXO Chips

New Cosmetics in the In-Game Shop

Last but not least, here are the Jet Powered Update’s new cosmetic items, palettes, and emotes to deck out your Astroneer: 

  • “Pride” Visor Bundle (This bundle is free for all players)
  • Tough Suit
  • Gun Show Emote
  • Imaginate Emote
  • Head Lights Hat
  • Long Haul Hat
  • Horned Mask
  • Spiked Mask
  • On Grid Palette
  • Scarab Palette
  • Carbon Fiber Palette

Check out here for a more detailed description of the latest Astroneer patch notes, along with the game’s added improvements and a thorough list of bug fixes.