Ostranauts starter ships
The ship is your home, mortgage, and biggest factor in difficulty. Here is what the community learned about each early option.
One ship from character creation, one from events.
SEEK SHIP in character creation yields one or two options. The Volatile can be won or stolen through a narrative event. Expert-tagged ships unlock after your first successful derelict docking.
Box Sled
The cheap starter: minimal systems, tight space, very low mortgage. Fine for learning, cramped for crew.
CR-43
A step up with dedicated rooms: bridge, quarters, galley, engineering. More to maintain, more to carry.
Lilliput
Community favourite. Excellent systems out of the box and forgiving for a first career.
Testudo Dream
Passenger shuttle (2057), OSR rating Moderate, mortgage ≈ 862,808 credits, 7.04m × 5.12m. The most recommended starter.
Volatile
Obtainable through a character-creation event (steal or win it). Players report it is the flashiest early ship: and the hardest to get.
Ibex / Myna Mk. I
Frequently encountered later as used ships; roomy survey platforms that players often retrofit into carriers.
Three numbers decide your first week.
Mortgage, life support, and size.
Mortgage
Paid at the end of every shift. Higher mortgage = faster debt spiral if your salvage loop is slow.
Life support
Ships without pre-installed life support are cheap: and deadly. Budget for O2/N2 and heaters.
Size vs fuel
Bigger hulls store more salvage but burn more fuel. Match capacity to your route, not your dreams.
Common questions
Which starter ship is best?
Community consensus favours the Testudo Dream and its sibling Lilliput: they are well equipped, moderate in mortgage, and forgiving for new players. The Volatile is cool but only obtainable through character-creation events.
How do I get more ships?
You start with one legally-owned ship. Salvage parts to upgrade it, or buy/refurbish a derelict. Ships tagged Expert unlock only after you successfully dock with a derelict for the first time.
What should I check before buying a ship?
Life support installed (or budget to add it), mortgage size: it is paid every shift: and hull size versus fuel consumption. A bigger hull stores more but burns more fuel.
Can I sell a ship?
Yes: stripping and selling derelicts is the core economy. Repair valuable parts to 100% before selling where possible.