Attachment point

An attachment point is a circular slot—or set of slots, in cases where multiple points share a visible connection—to which items or objects can be affixed, allowing them to be stored for later use, secured for transportation, or attached to a power network, among other uses. Multi-slot attachment points are often referred to by the number of slots they connect (e.g. "a 2-slot attachment point", or simply "a 2-slot") and in most cases allow for attaching either multiple small entities or one larger one.

Depending on context, the term may also refer to the point or points on the underside of an entity that attach to these slots.

Restricted attachment points

Some attachment points can accept the placement of only certain types of items or objects. Most of these slots, such as the resource inputs for a printer job or the fueling ports for a shuttle, can be identified by the silhouette of the item that they will accept. But some, like the resource inputs for the smelter or the scanning pad for the research module, appear nearly identical to regular attachment points despite only accepting specific items or objects.

Unique behaviors

Platforms & Modules

Main Articles: Platform and Module

Newly constructed platforms are equipped with a single 2-slot attachment point, suitable for item storage or the attachment of power sources. When upgraded to a level 2 platform, this apparently doubles to two 2-slot attachment points—but if you look closely, you'll also notice the 4-slot attachment point upon which your choice of module can be built. This special attachment point currently can't be used for any other purpose, even if you choose not to build a module on that platform.

The Backpack

Main Article: Backpack

An Astroneer's backpack hosts ten 1-slot attachment points. All of these can be used for basic item storage, but only the two articulated slots on the shoulders can be used for power sources—the other eight can hold such items, but not deploy them. These slots are, however, able to hold and draw power and oxygen from small batteries and tanks.

Vehicles

Main Article: Vehicles

The networking ports on the front and rear of some vehicles are able to act as fully-functional (if somewhat hard-to-spot) attachment points. For example, the Rover's circular front and rear ports function as 1-slot attachment points suitable for connecting power sources or spare items, while the Truck's larger, stadium-shaped ports are actually 2-slot attachment points to which one could connect a storage rack or research item.

Note that bringing a vehicle's networking port close enough to a platform to connect to it will cause anything attached to that port to pop off.