I read with interest that it is possible to build space stations with industry and not use a shipyard. Now, my Dirtmeisters (OMPs; the name is an homage to the ancient game by Omnitrend, Universe) are stations, it says so on their build sheet, they have no engines, and I sure-enough designed them to be stations and not ships. But there is no option on my “Industries” tab to build stations. Is there some tech I need to research that I have overlooked?
– Mal
I believe to be built by industry the no armour option has to be picked in ship design, then in the industry tab you will get the space station option (under components, ordenance etc) and have a list of space stations
Unfortunately, that appears not to be the case, as the platform’s design already has “no armour” checked. Now, the design sheet does say it is a “Commercial Vessel” for maintenance, but says “Space Station for Construction.” But no “Space Station” option in industry. For that matter, my Industry tab has no “Components” category, either, which leads me to believe I need to research something first
Okay, I’m an idiot. I see that there is a pull-down menu under the “Industry” tab which allows the selection of ordnance, fighters, components, and space stations. Totally missed that. Feel free to shoot me now.
-- Mal
A lot of Aurora hides right in front of you like that.
Yeah, I’m hip 
Still feel like an idiot, though.
– Mal
Always click the funny drop down menus to see what happens. Many such cases.
You need to select space station as the build type (as opposed to Contraction, Ordnance, etc.) and you must have a spaceport at the population.