Panel stays open, for sure. Doesn't close till "take off"
Viewing post in Need a Hint?
So I managed , somehow to get the ship completed. Seems I'm at the mercy of Space RNJesus. Scraps appeared on the screen, crapalytic test, fueled ship, good for launch. Except no gas in the tank, then ended up in a never ending animation of Ace entering and exiting the ship. Going to reload some previous saves and see what I can/ did do differently.