Colonization
From OGame Wiki
Colonization - This is when a Colony Ship is sent to an empty planet position using the colonization mission. When the ship arrives it will immediately create a colony for you (assuming you don't have eight already). You are given 500 metal and crystal to start building. The colony ship can only be used once.
If another players colony ship reaches the position first, your ship will return to its origin.
NOTE: Do not try to send extra cargo in the colony ship; it will not be added to the planet's resources. You will always begin with 500 metal and crystal. This is the same with cargo ships or any other they will just return back to the home planet.
TIP: To develop your colony to certain level the best way is to send resources to it in following proportions:
Ratio - M:C:D = 11:4:1
This way with the single large cargo you will be able to develop Metal Mine L9, Crystal Mine L9, Solar Plant L9, and Robotic Factory L3. For a single large cargo, M:C:D = 16500:6000:1500 = 24000 total resources, so there is room for some extra metal/crystal and enough space for deuterium to make it to your planet. With these amounts, it also leaves 100 deuterium for a level 1 shipyard.
