[Krsqk]

This is all correct. I just wanted to pad my post count (and slightly annoy Fyron with that comment).

Space ports are only needed for exporting to the rest of the Empire. You can run around merrily using anything you want from anywhere, but don't you dare think about trying to ship out that 1kt in minerals (and a pretty pitiful 1kt it is--a bit on the short side) without a fully-functional space port in the system. It's like a nightmare cross between government bureaucracy and union rules.