System Beacons are used to claim star systems in the name of your Emperor. If you have no Emperor, one of your highest-ranking leaders will claim imperial leadership in the interim. System Beacons decay over the period of twenty turns as a result of cosmic radiation, micrometeorite hits and general system failure and cease to function after that time. Some system anomalies such as solar flare zones could speed up this process. The activation date of the Beacon is broadcast along with the Beacon message. Replacing one of your own Beacons will leave the original activation date intact while restarting the decay timer. Other empires can place their own Beacons anywhere they like, even in star systems you have already claimed. You cannot destroy your own system beacons, but alien ones can be destroyed by moving any fleet into their location with Rules of Engagement settings of X-Ray, Yankee or Zulu.
NOTE: System Beacons never stop transmitting unless destroyed (although they only have a 20-turn lifespan).
400 Electronics
100 Transaluminum
100 tons
System Beacon
100
Already learned - your empire starts with this technology.
Content contributed by Tom Carey.