As you progress deeper into Astroneer, you’ll eventually reach a point where basic resources are no longer enough. Crafting advanced items, powering late-game systems, and unlocking new technologies all require access to gases like Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Methane, and more. That is where the Atmospheric Condenser becomes essential.
This machine allows you to extract gases directly from a planet’s atmosphere, turning previously inaccessible resources into a steady and reliable supply. Understanding how to build and use it properly is a major step forward in your progression.
Why the Atmospheric Condenser Matters
Before getting into the crafting process, it is important to understand why this machine is so valuable. Many mid-to-late game recipes depend on gases. For example, Hydrazine fuel requires Hydrogen, and advanced materials like Silicone and Explosive Powder require gases like Methane and Sulfur.
Each planet in Astroneer has a different atmospheric composition, meaning some gases are only available on specific planets. The Atmospheric Condenser allows you to take advantage of that by extracting gases wherever they are present, making interplanetary travel and planning much more important.
Without this machine, you are essentially locked out of a large portion of the game’s crafting system.
What You Need to Get Started
To build an Atmospheric Condenser, you will first need a Medium Printer. This is because the condenser is a medium-sized module and cannot be crafted using your backpack or small printer.
If you do not already have a Medium Printer, you will need to craft one using Compound. Once placed on a platform and powered, it will allow you to print larger machines, including the Atmospheric Condenser.
You will also need a reliable power source. The Atmospheric Condenser consumes a decent amount of power while running, so having generators, solar panels, or batteries ready will make your experience much smoother.
Materials Required
To craft an Atmospheric Condenser, you will need the following materials:
Glass
Plastic
Iron
Each of these requires its own crafting steps, so let’s break them down in detail.
How to Make Glass
Glass is created from Quartz, which is one of the more common refined resources in the game.
The easiest way to obtain Quartz early on is by using the Soil Centrifuge. By collecting soil in a canister using your Terrain Tool, you can convert that soil into Quartz at the centrifuge. This is a very efficient way to gather materials without needing to search for specific deposits.
Once you have Quartz, you will need to smelt it in a Smelting Furnace. This process converts Quartz into Glass, which is then ready to use in crafting.
Glass is used in several advanced recipes, so learning this process early will benefit you throughout the game.
How to Make Plastic
Plastic is a composite resource, meaning it requires multiple materials and a Chemistry Lab to create.
To make Plastic, you need Carbon and Compound.
Compound is one of the most common resources in Astroneer and can be found scattered across most planets. It is usually easy to collect in large quantities.
Carbon is made by smelting Organic material in a Smelting Furnace. Organic can be gathered by harvesting plants, grass, and other natural materials using your Terrain Tool.
Once you have both Carbon and Compound, place them in a Chemistry Lab to produce Plastic.
The Chemistry Lab is a key piece of equipment for advanced crafting, so if you do not already have one, you will need to build it before progressing further.
How to Get Iron
Iron is one of the more challenging materials to obtain because it requires a specific resource called Hematite.
There are two main ways to get Hematite. You can either find it naturally on planets like Novus and Glacio, or you can use the Trade Platform to exchange Scrap for Hematite.
If you choose to gather it yourself, you will need to travel to one of those planets and mine Hematite deposits. This introduces players to interplanetary exploration, which becomes a core part of the game as you progress.
Once you have Hematite, place it in a Smelting Furnace to refine it into Iron.
Iron is a crucial resource used in many advanced machines, so it is worth gathering extra if you can.
Crafting the Atmospheric Condenser
Once you have Glass, Plastic, and Iron, you are ready to build the Atmospheric Condenser.
Head over to your Medium Printer, select the Atmospheric Condenser from the available recipes, and start the printing process. Make sure your platform has enough power to complete the build.
After printing, place the Atmospheric Condenser on a platform with a steady power supply. Without sufficient power, it will not function properly.
How to Use the Atmospheric Condenser
Using the Atmospheric Condenser is straightforward but requires a bit of planning.
Once powered, interact with the machine to select which gas you want to extract. The available gases will depend on the planet you are currently on. For example, Hydrogen is available on some planets, while others may offer Methane or Nitrogen instead.
After selecting a gas, the machine will begin extracting it over time. The process is not instant, so patience is required. Once complete, the gas will be stored in canisters that you can use for crafting.
This is where strategy comes into play. If you need a specific gas, you may need to travel to a planet that contains it. This encourages exploration and adds another layer of depth to the game.
Final Thoughts
The Atmospheric Condenser is one of the most important machines in Astroneer once you move beyond the early game. It opens up access to advanced crafting materials, fuels, and technologies that are essential for long-term progression.
Learning how to gather the required materials and understanding where to find different gases will significantly improve your efficiency and expand what you can create.
If you are serious about progressing in Astroneer, building an Atmospheric Condenser is not just helpful, it is necessary.
