Update 8/25/2016: Added pages on Finding Trade Posts, Sentinels and Wanted Level, in addition to Shielding, Power, and Unstable Plasma Items. Also see my guide to Making Money in No Man's Sky for some tips on the best methods for earning cash, what crafting items are most profitable, and a list of all resources in the game.

No Man's Sky: Trading Posts

Trade Routes (Lines) from Space Stations & Findinng Outposts

What are the lines coming from space stations in No Man's Sky?

What are the lines coming off space stations in No Man's Sky? Trade routes!

There are a couple of ways to find trading posts in No Man's Sky that I'd like to share. One will generally lead to large trading hubs on planets, the other usually just a small outpost. The latter tend to have multi-tool upgrades for sale, however, while the big trading depots are good places to buy ships or resources/commodities from the trade ships that visit.

Method 1: Trade Routes from Space Stations Lead to On-Planet Stations

There are lines that can be seen extending from space stations (when the sky is dark enough *sigh*). These extend toward planets. It's easy to tell where they're going if there's only one in the system, a little harder if there are multiple planets. These lines are routes trade ships run, and you can guess what's at the end- a Trade Station on the planet(s).

Lines coming off space stations lead to areas on planets

Sometimes space is too bright to see the lines, but when you can see them leading toward the proper planet you know you're on the right track.

Point toward a Lines
Engage your pulse drive, or boost if you're close to a planet. Don't get ON the line, point toward it while you're 5-10k away from the planet. This will make it easier to see where it's going.

Trade route line coming from a space station and leading toward a trading station

line moving even more, means you're close

When the lines start moving, you'll know you're close. Moving faster, you're even closer.

When the lines start moving despite your ship being on a steady course, you know you're close. Things far away tend to move less, right? Start to turn your ship toward the line's destination on the planet when this happens.

A ship follows the line from the space station in No Man's Sky

If you happen to see a ship on the line, you can directly follow it to a trade station most of the time. This is the easiest method.

You may even see a ship traveling the line. That's when you know you're really close! At that point, you can even follow that vessel and it's highly likely to lead you to the station.

Finding trade stations on planets in No Man's Sky

The trading post is just above the targeting cursor - initiate landing close enough to the pad and your ship will automatically choose that spot. Large posts always look like this, so it's worth knowing anyway. It's much faster to make use of one you've found than to return to the space station if on a resource-rich planet, so long as you can keep track of where the station is located!

Once you've entered the planet's atmosphere, pointed toward the line's destination (it gets harder to see), slow down a bit so the terrain can pop in (sigh). You should see a formation like that above if it's a large station. Large stations usually have an alien there who may give you tech. I can't confirm whether or not these lines lead to smaller stations yet, as I've only done a few. Thus, a way to find the smaller stations - which frequently offer you multi-tool upgrades through a red box on the wall.

Method 2: Signal Scanners

I've got a whole page on Signal Scanners in No Man's Sky but I can keep it short here. Craft a batch of bypass chips and search for transmission. Sometimes you'll find beacons. Beacons tend to lead to the locations of sentinent life somewhere on the planet. This is frequently a small outpost with one docking pad. Inside, there is almost always an offering for an upgraded multi-tool.

Other No Man's Sky Guides