how do i make a block detect other blocks?

I have an idea for a space travel mod in which the player can make their own starship with any blocks they want with the exception being there are a few required blocks like an engine and a few non-required ones like an oxygen bay. what I need to know is how to allow the required blocks detect they are present in a ship with the other required blocks without thinking the ground is the same as the ship. I also need the player made ship to go to the other planets (dimensions) with the player, so essentially I need a block to detect other blocks connected to it through vanilla blocks, and the player made thing to go to other dimensions with the player.