Welcome to our guide for the Groundpounder mission in Starfield! This guide will walk you through starting the mission and detail the necessary steps for its completion. If you need help with a specific mission objective, check the quick links section to easily find the information needed.
PLEASE NOTE: Some of the planets referenced in our guides and walkthroughs may not match yours due to how Starfield was created. In these situations, what you do and the places you visit on those planets should remain the same.
Quick Links
How to Start the Groundpounder Mission
Groundpounder is one of the misc missions you can pick up while exploring space. To start it, you’ll be hailed by a ship that will be paying it forward by telling you not to travel to the Altair System as it is filled with Spacers meaning something big is going on there.
*We were traveling to Procyon A system when it happened to us*
Groundpounder Walkthrough
Go to the Altair System
Set a course for Altair II in the Altair System then land at Research Outpost U3-09. As soon as you land, a group of Spacers will be assaulting the outpost. You’ll need to take care of them and enter the main facility.
Find Private Mahoney
Inside the research station, you’ll have more Spacers to deal with. From the entrance, take a left through the Research 01 doorway followed by another left into the Security room. Head to the back of the room and go down the stairs. Look for the storage room then go inside to find Private Mahoney.
Clear the Spacers Outside the Infirmary
Travel west from the storage area through the server room (and Spacers) then head up the stairs just past it. The upper level will be filled with more Spacers. After you make quick work of them, enter the Comms Center. Speak with Lezama inside.
Find and Rescue Lieutenant Torres
Head back to the stairs you took to reach this level then use the keycard you got from Lezama to unlock the door with the stairs leading to the third floor. Head up and clear out the Spacers. You then want to climb another flight of stairs between Labs 02 and 03. You’ll never guess what’s up there! More Spacers!!! Wipe them out then look for the Head of Research room. Go inside to meet Tores and Dasari
Rescue Captain Myeong
Make your way to the southeastern side of the room then head down the stairs to find the office. Enter the office in time to see the captain get swarmed by Spacers. Deal with them then speak with her after.
Liberate Research Camp on Altair II
Head back to your ship and use it to travel to the Research Camp on the same planet. Make your way to the Research Camp then take out the Spacers there. Afterward, enter the airlock and speak with the survivors inside.
Talk to Lieutenant Torres
Make your way back to the Research Outpost and tie in with Torres who’ll be waiting for you near the landing pad with the captain.
Defeat Spacers in Space!
Time for a space battle! Return to your shop and head up to space. You’ll need to defeat the Spacers orbiting Altair I and Altair V.
Land on Research Outpost U3-09
Return to the Research Outpost on Altair II but make sure you’re ready for a fight. There will be a horde of Spacers you’ll need to take down to save everyone at the outpost. After defeating the initial wave of Spacers, two more will be dropped off via drop ship. Defeat them all then speak with Torres in front of the outpost to complete the mission. You’ll be rewarded with 300 EXP, some credits, a Peacekeeper and some ammo to go with it.
Additional Starfield Guides and Walkthroughs
Be sure to check our main Starfield Guides and Walkthroughs page for additional content on Starfield, such as additional guides to assist you during your adventures in the Settled Systems!