You’re pulsing through a new star system, scanning rocks from the comfort of your cockpit, when you see it. High Radio Source. It sounds ominous. Maybe a little exciting? If you’re like most No Man’s Sky players, your brain probably goes to one of two places: either there’s some secret Alien signal hidden on the surface, or your hazard protection is about to melt into a puddle of useless tech.
Honestly, the name is a bit of a flex by the procedural generation engine.
Basically, "High Radio Source" is just one of many flavor names for an Irradiated Biome. It’s the same neighborhood as "Nuclear," "Gamma-Intensive," or "Isotopic" worlds. But there is a reason these planets specifically stand out on your HUD, and it isn’t just because the name sounds cooler than "Contaminated Puddle."
Why High Radio Source Planets Are Actually Resource Goldmines
Most people land, see the Geiger counter clicking like crazy, and immediately want to leave. Big mistake. If you’ve got a couple of Ion Batteries and a dream, these planets are where you actually get rich in the mid-game.
You’re looking for Uranium.
It’s everywhere on these rocks. Forget crafting Launch Fuel out of Di-hydrogen and Metal Plating like a scrub. You can just shove raw Uranium into your starship thrusters. It’s significantly more efficient. Plus, you’ll find Gamma Root here, which is the backbone of Lubricant production. If you’re trying to build a farm for Stasis Devices or Fusion Ignitors—those high-unit items that make you a billionaire—you basically need a permanent base on a High Radio Source planet.
There's also the Radon situation.
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Radon is a localized gas found in the atmosphere of these irradiated worlds. You can set up Atmosphere Harvesters or Gas Extractors to pull it straight from the air. You’ll need it for Enriched Carbon. Without it, your crafting tree basically hits a dead end.
The Aesthetic: Is It Just Glowing Mushrooms?
Not always. The "palent" (palette) of these worlds is actually pretty specific. Because of the "High Radio Source" tag, you’re often looking at a world with heavy green or sickly yellow atmospheres.
You’ll see:
- Rocky surfaces with weird, spiraling circles visible from space.
- Steaming vents of radioactive gas (don't stand in those).
- Mutated, warped flora that often glows at night.
- The occasional "Mega-Exotic" variant where everything is humongous.
Sometimes these planets get the Infested subtype overlay. That’s when things get weird. You’ll see "Whispering Eggs" everywhere and "Biological Horrors" that will absolutely ruin your day if you touch their kids. It adds a layer of chromatic aberration to the screen—sort of a glitchy, psychedelic filter that makes you feel like your Exosuit’s sensors are actually failing.
Survival Tips for the Irradiated Nomad
Look, you can’t just raw-dog the atmosphere on a High Radio Source planet. Your standard Hazard Protection will last about three minutes before it starts screaming at you.
First, get the Radiation Protection upgrades from the Space Anomaly. You want the S-class ones. They don’t just extend your life; they give you a separate bar that drains before your main hazard protection even touches the red.
Also, watch the weather. "Radioactive Damp" sounds annoying, but "Gamma Cyclones" or "Extreme Radioactivity" storms are lethal. During a storm, the radiation levels can spike up to 30 or 40 Rads. At that point, your shield is basically paper. If you’re caught out, use your Terrain Manipulator. Dig a hole. Sit in it. Wait for the storm to pass. It’s not heroic, but it works.
Finding Your Own High Radio Source
If you’re hunting for one specifically—maybe for a mission or to start a Radon farm—check the Red Star Systems (Cadmium). Statistically, these systems have a higher weight for radioactive and scorched biomes. You’ll need a Cadmium Drive to get there, but it’s worth the trip.
When you scan from space, look for the "Uranium" tag in the resource list. If you see Uranium, Gamma Root, and Radon, you’ve found your target. It might be labeled "Supercritical" or "Decaying Nuclear," but "High Radio Source" is the one that feels the most like a sci-fi mystery.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your Starship Fuel: If you're still using crafted canisters, fly to the nearest High Radio Source planet and mine 500 units of Uranium. It’ll save you hours of crafting time.
- Drop a Base Computer: Even if you don't build a full base, mark one of these planets. You will eventually need the Radon for high-tier crafting.
- Upgrade your Visor: Use your Analysis Visor to look for "Buried Technology Modules" on these planets; they often spawn in clusters near the glowing flora.