Sats not being launched in combat

[Jubala]

In a pbem game I'm playing one of my planets was attacked by 2 AI ships but the 9 sats the planet had in cargo where not launched so the AI ships caused some serious damage, including destroying the sats. I don't like that.

[ColdSteel]

Well, they won't launch by themselves when you're attacked. You have to launch them yourself prior to that turn with the "launch" command. They have to be in orbit to do you any good at all. On the surface they're just sitting in a warehouse somewhere collecting dust and taking up cargo space.

[Tomgs]

Yes but this changed because they used to self launch in combat. I really liked that better especially on the turn that the sat's were built they were already useful. Also I see satellites in cargo areas of AI's a lot now where they are less than useful so this change hurts them also.

[Jubala]

You mean it's intentional that sats no longer autolaunch in strategic combat? I have to test this out and see if they can be launched manually in the same combat played tactically they are not being launched in if the combat is played strategically. Imo they should be launched automatically. I can't see a reason why not.

[rdouglass]

I don't use sat's at planets myself, but the AI seems to launch them (from a planet) in combat. They are not in orbit at the beginning of combat but show up on the AI's first strategic or tactical combat turn. You may have to click on the planet to select it, then use one of the buttons to give the planet the Launch Sats command. (I don't remember what the button label is - I'm at work right now).

[Jubala]

This was in strategic combat in a pbem game so I can't do **** other then swear about it.

[rdouglass]

I'm wondering...Can you give planets combat strategies like ships or fleets? If so, your answer may be there - give the planet strategic orders to launch sat's.

Just a thought....