Base space yards

Just research space yards, it takes 10 levels to get to the ones that go on ships though.

Yup it takes Space Yards 10 *yes TEN* to get the portable type *GRRR*. I can understand the logic of this to a degree, being able to do it from the get go is very powerfull so limiting it is reasonable.... but level 10 is a long way down the tech tree before you can build space stations with docks. How about Making one available at level 5 that can only be built in space stations (or just make it so big only space stations can hold it, and have the size decrease as the tech level goes up from there).

Level 10 for a facility tech is nothing compared to the level 30/35 in Stellar Manipulation to get the warp point tech.

In Space Empires IV, I would typically build a space station with a Ship Yard almost at the very beginning of the game. I did that so I could produce colony ships faster, certainly, but also because I hated to see all those minerals going down the drain!!