Research Points - and losing the Resarch Stations

[Nemesis]

Hi there, I had a question about whether you NEED all those research labs in orbit and on planets once you've researched everything. Of course the moment you dip below the required number you can't research any further - and that completely makes sense, but what about when you've unlocked the whole tree? Do you lose access to things you've already researched? Do you have to spend the entire game with at least 50 orbital research stations hovering somewhere in the galaxy?

Well I decided to launch a quick game, cheat so I can snowball fast and develop everything I needed with an Easy AI, and then sit there until I'd researched everything.
Then I dismantled about 40 research stations.

As far as I can tell... no impact. I'm able to remove them all and everything functions as normal. I lose the TIER BONUSES (which aren't nothing), but the benefits provided from all the free civic station slots - economy buildings and production stations - pretty much outweigh the costs.

It seems a shame that the sheer NUMBER of research stations required is so high. You'll probably not be able to reach tier 4/5 on a small map, until you're already so dominant the game is over.

So there. If, like me, you were worried about all those stations... bin 'em. You'll lose a few hefty bonuses, but your economy will make up for it. Probably.

Any thoughts or feedback?

[Duke Fleed]

Yeah, you can build planetary upgrades that are worth 1 or 3 points depending on the planet it was built on

[Nongenti]

I believe you dont loose access to stuff you have finished researching.
TEC may want them for they host the PSIDAR ability to see incoming jumps.