These are the 8 easiest ways to earn money in 'No Man's Sky'

The massive new PlayStation 4 game "No Man's Sky" is all about exploring the vast reaches of space, all from the comfort of your couch. The game has a near-infinite universe, filled with alien planets, intergalactic trading posts, and all other manner of sci-fi delight.

But just like here on Earth, cold hard cash rules everything in the universe. How else will you get a nicer ship? We've put together the best ways to get that space skrilla right here:

SEE ALSO: The 10 weirdest things people have encountered in 'No Man's Sky'

DON'T MISS: The 14 most amazing spaceships players have found in 'No Man's Sky'

1. Mine for expensive resources — and sell them!

This one's a no-brainer, we'll admit it: do your job and mine the universe for resources! Those resources all have monetary value at any of the various trading posts, and some things are worth more than others.

For instance, the massive ball of gold you see above is going to net a ton more space money than a bunch of random carbon. 

BONUS: Use your inventory slots smartly by transferring gold/platinum/etc. to your ship and then maxxing them out to 500 (the limit in your suit inventory is just 250, so you can literally double your rare resource gathering with this one simple trick).

2. Prioritize upgrading your ship/exosuit over everything else.

Even on your very first planet — the one you start on — you can massively upgrade your spacesuit ("exo-suit") and spaceship. All over the planet, you'll find pods that want you to feed them money in exchange for new slots on your suit. Spend the money! It's worth it in this case — the more slots you have, the more stuff you can carry, the more money you can earn. Simple math!

3. Learn how to play the market.

It's a simple trick of basic economic theory. Sound intimidating? It isn't! Here's all the economic theory you need to grok: buy low, sell high. ECON101 lesson over.

Now let's apply that lesson! Get yourself to an intergalactic trading post. These are the pyramid-like structures floating in every star system. They're basically much nicer versions of highway rest stops, sans Roy Rogers. Then, head inside and to the trading terminal.

When you've engaged the terminal, select the "Sell" option. Then scroll through the various prices the trading post is offering. Some items are sold at a lower price than the galactic average, and some are higher than the galactic average, as indicated in red (less) and yellow (more) text next to the price this teller is offering per piece.

You may already be picking up what I'm dropping here: these price fluctuations mean you can buy or collect things cheaply in one star system that are ridiculously valuable in another.