Portals are a feature in No Man's Sky and can be found on planets. They appear only on select planets, and one planet has been shown with multiple smaller portals surrounding a larger one, assumed for ships.
Function
These structures act as wormholes. If passed through in one direction, you will be transported to another planet closer to the center of the galaxy. And while the resources will be more valuable there (especially if brought back to the area of the galaxy where you came from), the dangers will also be increased. To get back to your ship you will need to enter the portal located on the new planet you have been transported to.
Known locations
The portal on planet Gorogohl links to planet Yaasrij (Pre-release)
Additional information
Portals will need to be unlocked with a multi-tool process before they can be used.
Summary
First announced during the 2014 Game Awards, portals have the ability to take the player to a random part of the galaxy. As of the gameplay, the only planets known to have portals are Gorogohl and Yaasrij.
Conjecture
It has been hinted through various interviews that the world the player is transported to is important to the overarching story and may be where the bulk of the backstory will be found.
If you die on the new planet, it is not clear where you will spawn. Possible options include:
- by your ship on the old planet
- by a default ship on the new planet
- by a default ship on a space station orbiting the new planet
