Expansion converts current infrastructure prerequisites and colonization hulls into additional territory on a wrapped galaxy map. Evidence
The construction and colonization screens are authoritative for the active campaign’s unlocks, valid destination, slot type, cost, and travel time. Do not apply a milestone table from another world.
Losing an outpost
An outpost slot is current capacity, not a lifetime expenditure. The game counts qualifying outposts still owned by the player plus colonization fleets pending from the founding colony. If an outpost is lost to another player, it leaves the former owner’s count and that founding colony can use the slot again. An outpost with no remaining building levels also stops occupying a slot. Evidence
The slot belongs to its founding colony. Losing that colony does not transfer its unlocked capacity to another colony, and a replacement launch still needs a valid unlocked slot at the chosen origin.
Because the map wraps, visual edge distance can be misleading. Evaluate an expansion by actual travel time, reinforcement access, resource effect, and exposure to hostile launch colonies.