Getting to the space anomaly in No Man’s Sky is a major milestone. It unlocks multiplayer missions, research trees for your base, multitool, and exosuit, plus the option to claim expedition rewards and earn nanites for your discoveries. But how to get to the space anomaly in No Man’s Sky exactly? Let’s go step by step.
Quick Guide: Finding the Space Anomaly
- Start the game and complete the initial tutorial tasks.
- Repair basic ship systems and upgrades to your multitool.
- Progress the main quest until you are asked to build a small base.
- Craft and install a hyperdrive on your ship.
- Learn how to create Warp Cells and stock up on at least one.
- Open the galaxy map and pick any yellow star within range.
- Fuel your hyperdrive and make your first warp jump to another system.
- Continue the story until you meet Artemis.
- After your next launch, watch for the transmission from Nada or Polo.
- When prompted, you will be able to summon the space anomaly.
- While in space, open the quick menu and select “Summon Anomaly.” Ensure the area is clear.
- Fly into the anomaly to access Nexus missions, vendors, and multiplayer features.
Optional fast route (pre-order owners):
- Redeem bonus content in Options > General to claim the Horizon Omega Starship.
- Use the Horizon Omega to warp immediately. That will trigger the anomaly sequence faster.
Follow the Main Quest to Unlock the Anomaly
You begin your journey on a random planet with your ship in ruins. The tutorial will guide you through basic repairs and multitool upgrades. Keep following the main questline. That’s the only reliable way to reach the space anomaly.
At one point, you’ll be asked to build a small base and craft a hyperdrive. Once you install it and learn how to make Warp Cells, you can fuel the drive and travel to another system. Open your galaxy map, pick any yellow star in range, and make the jump. The anomaly doesn’t appear before this first warp, no matter how long you stay in your starting system.
When Do You Get to the Space Anomaly?
After that first jump, continue the story until you meet Artemis. A bit later, once you launch into space again, you’ll receive a message from Nada and Polo, the travelers who run the No Man’s Sky space anomaly. That’s your invitation.
From then on, you can summon it from almost anywhere. Open the quick menu while in space and choose “Summon Anomaly.” Make sure the area around you is clear. Inside, you’ll find upgrade vendors, mission terminals, and other players.
Reaching the anomaly isn’t just about upgrades. You’ll also need access to it if you plan to get to the core of the galaxy quickly. (There’s a full guide on that here.)
Faster Method: Horizon Omega Starship
Some players can skip the early grind. If you bought the game before launch, you may have the Horizon Omega Starship. It’s a bonus ship equipped for interstellar travel right from the start. It already has a hyperdrive, pulse engine, deflector shield, photon cannon, and phase beam.
To redeem it, open the Options menu, go to General, scroll down, and select “Redeem Bonus Content.” Once you claim it, you can warp immediately, triggering the first appearance of the space anomaly much faster.
Where Is the Space Anomaly?
After it’s unlocked, you can summon the space anomaly in almost any star system. Inside, you’ll find the Nexus for multiplayer missions, vendors that trade nanites for upgrades, and terminals for expedition rewards. It also acts as a shared hub for meeting other travelers and browsing featured bases.
If you’re wondering where the space anomaly actually is, the answer is simple. It’s not fixed in one place. You can call it whenever you’re in open space.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been asking how to find the space anomaly or when do you get to the anomaly, the answer comes down to one thing: follow the main quest until your first warp. After that, everything unlocks naturally. The space anomaly becomes your hub for upgrades, missions, and faster travel through the galaxy.
Take your time early on, explore a bit, and get comfortable with your ship. Once you reach the anomaly, No Man’s Sky truly opens up.
