All pack recipes require promethium chunks, which can now be gathered while the platform is moving. Certain routes have more promethium than others. (In the very early game, there are techs that take data cards only, which allow you to unlock space travel and the ability to make the first science pack.)
You can craft packs while stationary at planets, though promethium spoils in 5 minutes so you'll need to send it back out eventually to continue to make packs.
