Starting out in Astroneer requires patience. The early game isn’t difficult because of enemies or harsh survival mechanics, it’s slow because of Bytes. Bytes are the research currency that unlocks almost every piece of meaningful progression. New printers, vehicles, power systems, automation tools, and advanced crafting options are all locked behind research costs. Until you earn enough Bytes, your expansion is capped.
In the beginning, it can feel like a grind. You scan small research samples near your base and watch the Byte counter tick up slowly. A few hundred here. A few hundred there. Meanwhile, the items you actually want to unlock cost thousands.
The good news is that you don’t have to stay stuck on your starting planet.
If you want to dramatically speed up Byte gain early on, the fastest method is to leave your home world and travel to Glacio. Atrox can also work, but Glacio is the most consistent and beginner-friendly option for farming high-value research.
Why Glacio Is the Best Early Byte Farm
Your starting planet provides research samples, but they are low value and often scattered. Glacio, on the other hand, is packed with high-yield research objects on the surface. You don’t even need to dig deep underground to make the trip worthwhile.
On Glacio, you’ll find small research samples scattered across the icy terrain. These typically provide around 130 to 150 Bytes per scan. That might not sound massive at first, but the density is the key. There are so many of these scattered across the surface that you can continuously scan them while exploring. In a short amount of time, you can accumulate more Bytes than you would earn in hours back on Sylva.
Even more valuable are the larger research items found across the planet. These objects can be picked up, transported back to your base, and placed in a Research Chamber. Many of them provide several thousand Bytes each, and some research in under an hour. The Byte-per-minute ratio is significantly higher than anything you’ll find early on at home.
The real jackpot, however, comes from the triangular research containers scattered around Glacio. These containers require power to open, but once unlocked, they contain research items that can provide upward of 10,000 to 15,000 Bytes. For early-game players, that kind of payout can unlock entire tiers of technology in one go.
Preparing for the Trip
Before leaving your starting planet, preparation matters. While Glacio is incredibly rewarding, you don’t want to strand yourself in orbit or suffocate halfway across the surface.
Bring plenty of Tethers. Oxygen management is critical when exploring wide-open areas far from your landing site. Having a steady oxygen line allows you to scan freely without constantly retreating.
Make sure you have extra Solid-Fuel Thrusters or enough fuel to return home. Running out of thrust mid-journey can stall your progression entirely.
Bringing an extra Oxygen Tank is also helpful. Glacio’s terrain is open and can require longer travel distances between safe spots. The additional buffer gives you more freedom to explore efficiently.
Once you land, focus primarily on surface exploration. There’s no need to dive underground immediately. Walk the terrain, scan every small research sample you see, and collect medium-to-large research items to bring back.
Maximizing Your Haul
If you have the storage space, prioritize bringing back the largest research objects. Even a single high-value research item can outpace dozens of small surface scans.
When you return to your base, place everything into your Research Chamber immediately. Stagger research times so that you’re always processing something. Byte generation should never be idle.
It’s not uncommon to return from one well-planned Glacio trip with over 15,000 Bytes. In many cases, you could easily double that if you stay longer and bring additional storage.
The difference this makes to early progression is massive. Instead of carefully choosing one unlock at a time, you suddenly have the freedom to research vehicles, better power generation, improved printers, and automation systems without feeling restricted.
Why This Changes the Early Game
Astroneer is designed around steady technological growth. The faster you unlock new systems, the faster your base becomes self-sustaining. More power means faster research. Better vehicles mean more exploration. Automation means less manual grinding.
By traveling to Glacio early and farming high-value research, you effectively skip the slowest part of early progression. Instead of crawling through your tech tree, you accelerate through it.
Starting out in Astroneer may require patience, but it doesn’t have to require endless grinding. A single well-prepared expedition to Glacio can completely transform your Byte economy and set you up for long-term success.
If you’re feeling stuck on your starting planet, don’t grind harder, travel smarter.
