After completing Phase 3 of the Space Elevator, two new milestones become available again (Satisfactory Space Elevator Phase 3 Guide: Unlock Tiers 7 and 8) . This lets you expand your factories further and discover many new resources. Both Tier 7 and the following Tier 8 are crucial to prepare for the game’s final major hurdles. They unlock a lot of new buildings and items, including some brand-new machines for crafting other things. In this tier you’ll once again find five different steps to complete in sequence. Everything gets increasingly complex, but don’t let that overwhelm you—take as much time as you need.
Satisfactory Tier 7: Bauxite refining and aluminum production
This is arguably the most important part of the entire milestone. You’ll unlock a completely new material, which opens up many more recipes.
Complete with:
- 100x Computer
- 100x Heavy Modular Frame
- 250x Motor
- 500x Rubber
Your Resource Scanner can now search for Raw Quartz and Bauxite, two essential ores with plenty of uses. You can mine both with standard Miners, and there are both pure and impure nodes. For production, we recommend the Swamp (Satisfactory Map: Best Locations for Every Resource) . It offers easily accessible deposits of both.
You’ll need both materials to produce aluminum. It’s a bit involved: you need Aluminum Scrap and Silica. First, process Bauxite and Water into Alumina Solution, then combine that with Coal to make Aluminum Scrap. Produce Silica simply from Raw Quartz. Aluminum Ingots are used in many downstream recipes, including numerous alternate recipes. Even more important are Alclad Aluminum Sheets and Aluminum Casings, which you’ll need for the upcoming progress.
Satisfactory Hover Pack vs. Jetpack: Precise movement in Tier 7
Right after you start producing aluminum, you should unlock the Hover Pack to move more precisely and efficiently. After that, you can retire your old Jetpack.
Complete with:
- Alclad Aluminum Sheet
- 100x Heavy Modular Frame
- 100x Computer
- 250x Motor
The Hover Pack is far more precise and easier to control than the Jetpack—you can hover in midair and reach tough spots with ease. For crafting the pack you’ll need the same item types you used to complete this milestone, just in smaller amounts. You’ll also get 3 additional inventory slots.
The pack draws power from nearby power poles and connected buildings, another clear advantage over the Jetpack. You no longer need fuel as long as you’re within range of a powered network. It consumes 100 MW of power.
Satisfactory Logistics Mk.5: Faster conveyor belts for 780 items per minute
This is a small but impactful workflow upgrade. New conveyor belts are always welcome and help you move more items.
Complete with:
- 200x Alclad Aluminum Sheet
- 400x Encased Industrial Beam
- 600x Reinforced Iron Plate
Compared to Mk.4 belts, which move 480 items per minute, Mk.5 belts can now carry up to 780 items per minute. You don’t need to replace every belt immediately—focus on high-throughput parts of your production lines where the upgrade pays off. Each belt requires one Alclad Aluminum Sheet to craft, so you’ll need to have invested in aluminum production. Visually, Mk.5 belts feature a distinctive arrow motif and taller side rails.
Satisfactory Hazmat Suit and Gas Mask: Safe passage through toxic zones
You’ve likely encountered areas on your explorations that are anything but friendly. With the right protective gear, you can enter them safely and collect rare items.
Complete with:
- 50x Gas Filter
- 100x Aluminum Casing
- 500x Turbo wire
In addition to three more inventory slots, you unlock both the Hazmat Suit and the Gas Mask. Both protect you from toxic gas; the Hazmat Suit (with the correct filters) also protects against radiation, which will matter in the next tiers.
Make sure to complete the Mycelia research in the MAM. There you’ll learn to craft Fabric from Mycelia and Biomass. You’ll need Fabric for Filters, the Mask, and the Suit. You also need Iodine-Infused Filters for radiation protection, which must be replaced periodically. Collect mushrooms as you explore and research them in the MAM so you can craft the suit and filters for Tier 8 and beyond.
Satisfactory Sulfur, Blender, and Sulfuric Acid: Foundation for endgame recipes
The final Tier 7 step packs a punch and is vital for several production lines. Alongside Sulfur, you’ll unlock some essential endgame recipes.
Complete with:
- 200x Alclad Aluminum Sheet
- 400x Aluminum Casing
- 200x Computer
- 1,000x Plastic
First you unlock the Blender, which lets you combine solid and fluid components. It’s required for several upcoming recipes and also enables strong alternate recipes.
The second key part of this Tier 7 branch is Sulfur. You can now find and mine it, if you haven’t already researched it in the MAM. Sulfur is used for various components, from explosives to Batteries and alternative fuels. Sulfuric Acid, for example, is a key ingredient for Batteries and later nuclear power. Alternate recipes enable things like Compacted Coal or Turbo Fuel.
Finally, you’ll also unlock recipes for Radio Control Unit, Supercomputer, and Assembly Director System. These are foundational for Tiers 8 and 9, so you don’t need to dive into them in detail just yet.
Conclusion on Satisfactory Tier 7: Aluminum, sulfur, and key upgrades
Tier 7 is an important stepping stone toward the game’s final challenges. You immediately unlock several new resources, including Aluminum and Sulfur, opening up exciting opportunities. Some tasks also get easier, like navigation with the Hover Pack and improved Mk.5 conveyor belts. You’ll also lay much of the groundwork for Tier 8, including the Hazmat Suit and the final recipes you unlock here.
Rent one of our Satisfactory servers and work your way up to Tier 7 at your own pace. The game does get more complex, but once you master this tier, you’ll be well prepared for what’s ahead!
