Astrodynamics is one of those skills that you don't know you need until you've started to sink your teeth into the complexities of Starfield's universe (or maybe you really don't need it). The skill is available as a first-tier skill in the Science Skill Tree.

In layman's terms, Astrodynamics will help you jump greater distances while consuming less fuel, so it's not really a mandatory skill, but it has its benefits. Let's start with the fuel part. Consuming less than 50% at Rank 4 will eventually have you jumping from one side of the universe to the other without multiple fast travels because you will be able to handle the jumps required. However, you won't need Astrodynamics to achieve this feat with the right ship.

The Grav Jump range boost sounds not as endgame-oriented as the fuel consumption of Grav Jumps, so it's more valuable. While this boost won't allow you to perform Grav Jumps longer than 30 lightyears, it will give you leeway. Say you want to add Cargo Holds or Habs to your ship, but you are worried that you will not be able to Grav Jump to some systems or you will need multiple fast travels. The 45% total benefit Astrodynamics offers will allow you to keep your Grav Jump range high enough even as your ship's mass increases. Does this make the skill valuable enough? Not really, unless you reach New Game Plus. Once you get the Starborn Guardian ship and get used to its massive fuel capacity (1,500) and Grav Jump range (30 LY), switching to another ship with better weaponry and more cargo capacity but slower fast-traveling capabilities will be somewhat frustrating.

Astrodynamics will allow even the most massive ships to stay close to 30LY jumps and travel across the universe in a single fast-travel. And that's about it. I haven't observed any other benefit so far.

Astrodynamics Ranks and Rank Challenges

The Astrodynamics skill is divided into four ranks, each coming with its own set of challenges and rewards:

RankRank EffectRank Challenge1Increase grav jump range of jump drives by 15%.Make 5 grav jumps.2Reduced fuel costs of jump drives by 15%.Make 15 grav jumps.3Increased grav jump range and reduced fuel costs of jump drives by 30%.Make 30 grav jumps.4Reduced fuel costs of jump drives by 50%.You have mastered this skill.

The first rank will increase your jump range, a critical feature when your next quest marker is on the other side of the galaxy. You'll see a 15% reduction in fuel costs at rank two, while the third rank offers a generous 30% boost to both Grav Jump Range range and fuel efficiency. If you reach the final rank, you're cutting your fuel costs in half.

You will find this skill immensely helpful in the long run. You will make countless grav jumps throughout your playthrough, so any time and fuel saved can be considered invaluable.

How to Add, Remove, and Rank Up Astrodynamics with Console Commands

There's a cheat code for those who don't want to grind through the challenges but want the Astrodynamics perks. You can open Starfield's console command window by pressing either the apostrophe (‘) or tilde (~) key. Then enter:

player.addperk 002C5560

Doing this multiple times will allow you to rank up the skill without completing the associated rank challenges. Want to remove it later? Enter:

player.removeperk 002C5560

In a game as expansive as Starfield, every skill point counts. Investing in Astrodynamics is a calculated decision to make your journey smoother, more efficient, and less fuel-greedy. While it may not offer the immediate satisfaction of a new weapon or more robust armor, the subtle advantages this skill provides will compound over time and may be necessary as you start focusing on the exploration side of Starfield.
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