Democracy Space Station
“A Helldiver-operated weapon of mass liberation. Paid for with the blood of soldiers and the credits of taxpayers, this technological marvel is Democracy made manifest.
— Galactic War Table
The Democracy Space Station (abbreviated as DSS) is a 
Super Earth Federation Space Structure. It is designed to aid Helldivers in their operations.
Mechanics
The Democracy Space Station's menu can be accessed from the Galactic Map interface; from there Helldivers can see a summary of the DSS, donate resources to activate powerful Tactical Actions and also vote on its next destination.
Moving And Voting
The movement of the DSS is dictated by a majority vote. Every 4 hours, the Helldivers are given a list of possible planets to vote on. Once the 4-hour period is over the DSS immediately warps to the winning planet's orbit and a new election begins.
- If the current campaign ends and there is no longer an active campaign on the orbited planet, the DSS will immediately move to orbit over the next planet with majority of votes. In case of majority vote being "Stay", the DSS will immediately move to the second most voted planet.
- In these scenarios the 4-hour-timer however does not reset although Helldivers are given another vote-ticket to use.
- In the case of a failed Defense Campaign the DSS will not immediately move if the subsequent Liberation Campaign is accessible.
The list of votable planets is updated / refreshed during each movement of the DSS.
Tactical Actions
Helldivers can donate Requisition Slips, as well as common and rare Samples in order to charge and activate Tactical Actions. Once fully charged, actions will immediately activate and provide its benefits to all operations occurring on the planet the DSS is orbiting. Each Helldiver can donate resources up to a cap (separate for each resource) within a 24-hour cycle; this period begins after the first donation since the end of the last participated cycle for that specific resource.
The caps for each 24-hour donation cycle are:
- 75 Common Samples
- 50,000 Requisition Slips
- 50 Rare Samples
Only one Tactical Action can be active at a time. If an action reaches its full charge, it will freeze progress for all other actions until the current one is finished. After a Tactical Action concludes its 24-hour active period, it will enter cooldown and be ineligible for donations.
- Occasionally, Tactical Actions may not be active for the hosting Helldiver during their first mission/gameplay session after booting up the game; this can be double-checked under the "Effects"-info-panel. The aforementioned situation can be rectified by either participating in an ongoing mission or completing a quick and easy/trivial mission first before hosting missions during active Tactical Actions.
DSS crews maintain deployment of a 24-hour rotating fleet of Eagle Fighters from the massive three-tiered Convocation Bay, supporting all Helldiver operations on the planet with close air support and halting enemy offensives for a short time.
Tactical Summary: Deploys periodic Eagle Airstrikes (erratum Eagle Strafing Runs) during missions. Slows enemy progress in Defense Campaigns.
Sample Cost: 
86400 Common Samples
Duration: 24 hours
Cooldown: 4 days
- The Eagle Storm won't activate / begin when a Helldiver is inside a Main or Optional/Secondary Objective zones. This does not mean the enemy units within the objective zones are exempt from the DSS Eagle Strike targeting.
- The Eagle Storm will continue until end even if a Helldiver steps into an Objective zone.
- The cooldown timer won't stop while a Helldiver is inside an objective area. And an Eagle Storm is launched instantly once no Helldiver reside within a objective zone.
- The targeting range is a 200 meter radius from the covered Helldiver. If no non-SEAF targets are available, the Eagle Strafing Runs are unloaded onto random areas near the edges of its range.
- The DSS's actions page incorrectly states that it deploys Eagle Airstrikes, but the "Effects" section on a planet affected by Eagle Storm correctly states that the DSS deploys Eagle Strafing Runs.
- Defense Campaigns under the effect of Eagle Storm will have their timer paused for as long as the Eagle Storm remains over the planet.
The DSS activates its Zero G Anti-Ship Missile System, targeting all large enemy spacecraft attempting to exit the planet's atmosphere. In addition, diverts excess manpower to Super Destroyer logistical support.
Tactical Summary: Defense Campaigns cannot originate from this planet. The Hellpod Space Optimization Booster is automatically active for all missions.
Sample Cost: 
86400 Requisition Slips
Duration: 24 hours
Cooldown: 2 days
- The Orbital Blockade cannot end a Defense Campaign already in progress.
The DSS Logistics Armada supplies all Super Destroyers orbiting the planet with surplus 380mm shells. Ordnance support is also provided to SEAF operations, accelerating liberation efforts.
Tactical Summary: Gives access to the Orbital 380mm HE Barrage stratagem during missions. Accelerates progress in Liberation Campaigns.
Sample Cost: 
86400 Rare Samples
Duration: 24 hours
Cooldown: 5 days
*Despite its description stating it accelerates progress on Liberation Campaigns, it also accelerates Helldiver efforts in Defense and Invasion Campaigns.
- Despite marked as a "Weapons Experimentaion" in the "Effects" section, this is in actuality an additional Orbital 380mm HE Barrage calldown. When used, the Helldiver first expends their selected 380mm rather than the DSS's.
- This additional 380mm Barrage won't have the ship upgrades applied until it has been used the first time in a mission; the cooldown reductions are applied as soon as used.
- Has replaced Planetary Bombardment since Janurary 16th 2025.
The presence of the DSS near this planet provides a slight boost to Liberation Campaign progress.
Tactical Summary: Passive effect. The presence of the DSS near a planet provides a slight boost to all campaign progress. Additionally, reduces the cooldown of Patriot and Emancipator Exosuits by 35%.
- Passively applied to the planets the DSS hovers over.
- Despite its description stating it accelerates progress on Liberation Campaigns, it also accelerates Helldiver efforts in Defense and Invasion Campaigns.
- The Exosuit cooldown reduction effect was added with the conclusion of Major Order A2-4-1.
- This effect has been retired.
The DSS fires nonstop orbital bombardments from its suite of 77 PRESIDENTIAL-Class Cannons, providing planetwide artillery support and accelerating liberation efforts. Temporarily, also increases Reinforcement Budget by +1 per squad member and augments all loadouts with FX-12 Shield Generator Relay Stratagem.
Tactical Summary: Fires periodic Orbital Barrages during missions. Accelerates progress in Liberation Campaigns.
Sample Cost: 86400 Rare Samples
Duration: 24 hours
Cooldown: 7 days
- Infamously, activation of this action causes an uptick in Helldiver Casualties on the planets it's deployed on.
- It has been entirely replaced by the Heavy Ordnance Distribution Tactical Action since Janurary 16th 2025.
- This effect has been retired, due to it being a temporary boost to the DSS during and after the Battle for Super Earth.
DSS crews maintain deployment of a 24-hour rotating fleet of Eagle Fighters, supporting all Helldiver operations on Super Earth. In addition, provides logistical support to all Super Destroyers.
Tactical Summary: Deploys periodic Eagle Strafing Runs during missions. The Hellpod Space Optimization Booster is automatically active for all missions.
Duration: 7 days
Cooldown: 7 days
- Serves as a combination of the Eagle Storm and Orbital Blockade actions. For more information, refer to the respective actions.
- Despite not being stated in the Action's descriptions, it will still pause the timer for as long as Eagle Blockade remains over the planet. Additionally, like Orbital Blockade, Defense campaigns will not be able to begin from the planet.
- This action was automatically activated with the conclusion of Major Order A2-5-5, and was removed shortly after it ended.
Lore
Retrieval
The plans for the Democracy Space Station were originally stored inside an Advanced Weapons Lab on X-45 during the First Galactic War, which was abandoned due to dangerous levels of radiation engulfing the planet. Once the radiation levels had decreased during the Second Galactic War, the Helldivers were tasked with defending the planet from Automaton invasion while the lab was excavated by Super Earth forces in order to recover the plans for the station, as well as an intact cache containing the once lost MLS-4X Commandos. Upon successful retrieval of the plans, the lab it was formerly contained in was destroyed by Super Earth in order to prevent it from falling into Automaton control.
Construction
After a little over two months of research, construction of the Democracy Space Station was ready to begin. For the first stage of its construction, the Helldivers were tasked with choosing the location of the orbital construction site between either Clasa or Gaellivare. Both of these planets were considered suitable due to their large magnetospheres, but both were also under Automaton control, requiring the Helldivers to liberate their planet of choice to secure the site. The majority of Helldivers descended on Gaellivare and ultimately liberated it for the construction of the DSS.
Known Issues
- Beams in SECTOR 77C lacking structural integrity
- Risk of collapse (See attachment A10)
- E-710 drive combustion sparks unstable. Risk of self-combustion at use over 33mp/h
- Insufficient space for lavatories. Removed to make space for sentry repair units.
- Insufficient budget for pressure equalization Current pressure calculation is estimated -235 mmKG
- Projections show Bedding for living spaces not within budget reach Donations from Super Citizen Anne's Hospital for Very Sick Children to compensate Reward children with.
- [1] time held trip to DSS for heroic sacrifice for Democracy?
Phase 1
Upon liberation, a DSS Logistics Hub on Tarsh was built to support the mass scale of the construction; Super Earth High Command determined that zero-g materials, FTL propulsion, and gigastructure staffing needed significant advancements to make the DSS a reality. High Command also reminded Helldivers that they would be crucial in the defense of the DSS should it come under attack, and any failures to do so would delay its construction.
Soon after establishing the DSS, High Command began tasking the Helldivers to liberate planets to establish facilities for the advancements needed for the DSS. Turing was selected to build the Ministry of Science's new Xenoentomology Center for high-efficiency Alcubierre drives. Helldivers quickly liberated the planet from the Terminid swarm while also defending Tarsh's Logistics Hub. High Command noted that the Center would still need to be defended from any potential attacks or research will be lost.
To create FTL-resistant alloy for the DSS, a deep-mantle forge would be required due to the extreme heat and pressure. Luckily, High Command found that the Automatons on Claorell already had a deep-mantle mining complex. Seeking to repurpose it for their own ends, High Command ordered the Helldivers to liberate Claorell and seize the complex. They would be successful, filling the mines with Super Earth's own in the new Deep Mantle Forge Complex. However, High Command found intel that revealed that the Automatons were creating exceptionally light metal for armor plating. Not long after, the Automatons attempted to take back Claorell, accompanied by cyberattacks on DSS-related servers. The Helldivers would be successful in defending Claorell; the cyberattacks revealed the DSS project to the Automatons, but the DSS's exact location remained a mystery to them for the time being.
Phase 2
With the Xenoentomology Center and Deep Mantle Forge Complex built, the DSS moved into Phase 2. Due to the DSS's scale, it would require significant amounts of E-710, leading to the establishment of the Terminid Research Preserve on Acamar IV. It would provide research capabilities and another source of E-710. The Helldivers would need to liberate and hold the nearby planets of Crimsica, Turing, Darius II, Pandion-XXIV, and Gacrux to establish a planetary quarantine zone around Acamar IV. The Helldivers would successfully create the quarantine needed for the construction of the Terminid Research Preserve, furthering E-710 research.
Shortly after, the Automatons would launch an assault division, the Jet Brigade, onto numerous planets in search of the DSS. Though the Jet Brigade managed to capture Matar Bay and Martale, they were eventually stopped on Marfark. Due to the Helldivers' efforts, the Automatons were unable to find the DSS and its related facilities.
To further protect the DSS, High Command determined that liberating Lesath would provide a defensive buffer for the DSS against a potential Jet Brigade assault. However, a sudden Terminid outbreak on Gacrux threatened the newly-built Terminid Research Preserve. The Helldivers were then left to decide which to prioritize, in which they chose to liberate Lesath. Another Terminid outbreak would occur on Pandion-XXIV, eventually leading to its fall alongside Gacrux. The DSS would continue to stay protected, but the Terminid Research Preserve quarantine zone was now compromised.
Phase 3
The continued protection of the DSS allowed it to advance to its final construction phase before its long-awaited completion.
The DSS had to be staffed with a crew of nearly 1.3 million skilled workers. In order to get that many workers, the Ministry of Humanity authorized the relocation of colonists, Helldivers were ordered to hold Gloom-adjacent planets while citizens were relocated to serve within the DSS.
Final Phase and Activation
Construction of DSS was completed and the project reached its final phase.
In order to activate the DSS and fuel it, Helldivers were ordered to kill 500 million Terminids and hold Gaellivare. However the Jet Brigade returned, and attacked the DSS Logistics Hub on Tarsh. The capture of Tarsh led to the destruction of the Logistics Hub. High Command reported that its loss was negligible, as it had fulfilled its purpose and had an acceptable amount of citizen evacuations. However, they noted that the DSS was finally located by the Automatons, who were now preparing to attack Mastia to reach Gaellivare.
Upon the culling of 500 million Terminids, the DSS was immediately fueled and activated. It proceeded to travel between various planets as the Jet Brigade attacked, achieving non-zero progress in each case. The DSS Eagle Storm would ultimately buy the citizens of Gaellivare enough time to evacuate before the planet fell into Automaton control. Despite losing the planet, this resulted in a "successful" Major Order win.
Apparent Sabotage and Deactivation
The DSS would patrol the Galaxy for the next several weeks, resulting in a quantifiable effect on the Galactic War. It cannot be argued that the DSS had zero effect, or that it was in fact negative for the forces on the ground.
With the return of the Illuminate and their attack on Calypso. The Democracy Space Station would undergo multiple catastrophic system failures, with the damage being severe enough to render it inoperable. The DSS was locked down for repairs. Security screening measures had been drastically increased. This sabotage, manifested in failure to follow security protocols, would later be attributed to Illuminate mind control.
The DSS would remain marooned in orbit of Vog-Sojoth for over a month, unable to aid in the Galactic War against the return of the Illuminate.
Reactivation and Operational Adjustments
Necessary repairs would eventually bring the station online without further complications. Notably, its drives would receive a comprehensive recalibration, allowing the station to move every 4 hours rather than daily. This change was made to help better confront the swift pace of Illuminate attacks, and are under review for long term application. The DSS would exit Automaton space and begin coursing threatened planets at 6 times its previous speed.
Beyond restoring basic functionality, these repairs would see tweaks to some core systems. In particular, the Planetary Bombardment tactical action would be temporarily retired so as to adjust certain lethal externalities caused by the ceaseless bombardment from the 77 PRESIDENTIAL-Class cannons installed on the DSS. A new tactical action with similar effects would take its place, with Heavy Ordnance Distribution providing the surplus Orbital 380mm HE Barrage stratagems to all Helldivers in the field.
During Major Order A2-3-7 after the liberation of Ingmar, it was also revealed the warp drives had been given enhancements to immediately deploy next planet after each completed campaign rather having to wait to cooldown recharge between each jump.
Upgrades
Following the successful defense of Malevelon Creek, upgrades to the DSS became a priority due to its pivotal role in holding Pöpli IX. Helldivers were ordered to secure resources for the upgrade, by liberating either Wezen to enable the construction of an Exosuit Support Bay, or Trandor for an Expanded Convocation Bay. Upon the liberation of the Automaton factories on Wezen, the Exosuit Support Bay was installed immediately, reducing the cooldown of Exosuit Stratagems.
Second Deactivation
During the true Illuminate invasion on Widow's Harbor, Super Earth High Command reported in a dispatch that the DSS, which was orbiting the planet, received damage from the Illuminate. High Command warned that further warps to Illuminate-invaded planets could potentially deal additional damage.
Despite their warning, the Helldivers would vote for the DSS to warp to Pilen V soon after the fall of Widow's Harbor. The Illuminate immediately attacked the DSS upon its arrival to Pilen V, inflicting significant damage to the station and killing many of its crew. The DSS would retreat to Claorell for repairs, though Super Earth High Command noted that it is undetermined of when the DSS would be fully operational.
Second Reactivation & Surge into Action
After receiving sufficient repairs due to Helldivers collecting Automation scrap, as ordered by High Command, the DSS immediately left for Super Earth without delay. Upon reaching Super Earth, it began supporting the struggling defense against the illuminate invasion. In order to avoid a repeat of its previous near-destruction, high command initialized a Fleet Positioning Protocol, creating a barrier of ships around the DSS to defend it against enemy fighter attacks.
Description
Phase 1
“Construction has begun on the Democracy Space Station. The local populace is honored to host thousands of construction crews for this historic event.
Phase 2
“Democracy Space Station construction is well underway. The local economy is flourishing as the planet's populace has centupled, an all the Galaxy can feel their democratic fervor.
Phase 3
“Construction of the Democracy Space Station is nearing completion. This project, which has employed millions, will soon take its place among the greatest achievements of Democracy.
Final Phase
“A Helldiver-operated weapon of mass liberation. Paid for with the blood of soldiers and the credits of taxpayers, this technological marvel is Democracy made manifest.
Trivia
- The DSS is run by 10 Ship Masters[1].
Gallery
Phase 1.
Phase 2.
Phase 3.
The completed DSS.
The Democracy Space Station as seen on the Galactic War Table.
The blueprint for the DSS.
Change History
1.002.201
2025-03-29
(Mid-Patch)
Undocumented Galactic War Server-Side Changes
- Enhanced DSS Redeployment
- The DSS will now immediately deploy to the highest voted planet if the current campaign ends.
1.002.005
2024-01-16
(Mid-Patch)
Changes
- Planetary Bombardment no longer bombards area around Helldivers; Helldivers instead given the 380mm HE Orbital Barrage stratagem.
References
- ↑ Ship Master: "The DSS is so large, it's run by 10 Ship Masters. Can you imagine?"