Rules

Objective

The Engineer who successfully builds their STARSHIP first wins the game. To achieve this, you must:

  • Collect all 8 Rocket Components.
  • Collect all 9 Resources (fuels and systems).
  • Arrive at the Launch Pad.
  • Roll the Test Die and get GREEN to pass the launch test (unless you possess a card that guarantees a successful launch or the ChopSticks).

Alternatively, the game can be timed. If the timer ends, the winner is the Engineer with the most collected components and resources.

Before Play Begins

  • Choose Your STARSHIP Playing Piece: Select from 8 available colors.
  • Choose Your Engineer Role: Pick from 6 roles.
  • Identify Your Workspace: Based on your Engineer role, assign your workspace:  Research Center –  Workshop – Launch Pad

How to Play

  • Starting the Game
  • The youngest Engineer goes first.
  • Taking Your Turn
  • Pop the Dice to determine your movement.
  • Move clockwise around the board by the number of spaces rolled.
  • Follow the rules for the space you land on:
  • Space Center Location: Take a token matching the space center’s color. You can save this token for later or use it immediately.
  • Planet or Celestial Body: Spin the spinner and draw a Race to Space Card matching the spin. Follow the instructions on the card.
  • Track your progress:
  • Record collected RESOURCE Cards in your Engineer Notebook and display them.
  • Record collected ROCKET COMPONENT Cards in your Engineer Notebook and display them.
  • Use any Tokens you’ve collected during your turn.

Tokens

  • Tokens come in RED, ORANGE, and PURPLE, with each offering unique benefits:
  • EXCHANGE: Use a token to exchange a Race to Space card from a location for a new card from the matching color bin.
  • TRADE: Trade a token with another Engineer to swap Race to Space cards (both parties must agree to the trade).
  • TEST: If the token corresponds to your Workspace, you may request a test of another player’s component (see testing rules below).
  • YELLOW Tokens: These tokens allow you to exchange for any card of your choice from any card bin.
  •  

Testing Components

  • Roll the Test Cube:
  • GREEN (Pass): The player keeps their component.
  • RED (Fail): The player must return the component to the bottom of the card pile.

Landing on an Occupied Space

  • If you land on a space already occupied by another Engineer:  it is called a Cosmic Collision:  You Move to your Workspace BUT you DO NOT collect a Token.

Doubles

  • If you POP a double (roll two of the same number):

    • Move the rolled number of spaces as usual.
    • Spin the spinner to draw a Race to Space card.
    • Take possession of the ChopSticks (see ChopSticks rules below).

ChopSticks

  • When you take possession of the ChopSticks (by popping a double), you gain special abilities:

    • Automatic Test Success: The ChopSticks allow you to pass any test automatically.
    • Launch Assistance: If you attempt a lift-off, the ChopSticks ensure a successful launch without needing to roll the Test Cube.
    • Trade Blocker: The ChopSticks allow you to refuse any trade request (unless you choose to accept).
    • Speed Boost: The ChopSticks allows you to DOUBLE your POP roll and move double the spaces (if you want to).

    Passing the ChopSticks: If another player pops a double, you must pass the ChopSticks to them.

You’re the Expert Engineer

  • If a player lands on your Workspace (and it is not their Workspace), you may TEST one of their components:

    • Select one of their components to test.
    • Have the player roll the Test Cube:
    • GREEN (Pass): They keep the component.
    • RED (Fail): They must return the component to the bottom of the card pile.

Winning the Game

  • The first Engineer to:

    • Collect all 8 Rocket Components and 9 Resources.
    • Reach the Launch Pad.
    • Successfully roll GREEN on the Test Die (or possess a successful launch card or the ChopSticks).

    Alternatively, in a timed game, the Engineer with the most components and resources when the timer ends is the winner.