The Voyagers update for No Man's Sky introduced the Corvette-class starship, a revolutionary addition that blurs the lines between a standard starship and a capital freighter. Unlike the procedural ships players find in the wild, a Corvette is modular, meaning every wing, engine, and hull plate is chosen and placed by the traveler. More importantly, these ships feature fully traversable interiors where players can walk around, install base-building components, and manage fleet operations while in deep space.

Building a Corvette requires access to a specialized workshop, a collection of structural modules, and a significant investment of units or salvaged materials. This guide breaks down the end-to-end process of constructing your first habitable starship.

Locating the Corvette Workshop in Space Stations

The ability to craft these massive vessels is not hidden behind a long questline, but it does require knowing where to look. Every orbital Space Station now houses a dedicated Corvette Workshop.

To find it, land your ship and head toward the merchants' side of the station (usually the left side when facing the exit). Near the Mission Agent and the Guild Envoy, you will notice four glowing blue teleport columns. These look identical to the teleporters found on personal freighters. Interacting with these columns will instantly transport you to a specialized hangar bay known as the Corvette Workshop.

This area contains the assembly platform and the Corvette Design Terminal. This terminal is your primary interface for purchasing blueprints, managing your parts cache, and initiating the build process.

Essential Modules Required for Assembly

You cannot simply snap parts together randomly. A Corvette requires a specific set of "Core Modules" to be flight-ready. Without these four components, the "Finalize Design" option will remain locked:

  1. Landing Gear: This acts as the anchor for your build. It must be placed on the workshop pad first.
  2. Habitation Module: This is the "body" of the ship. It creates the interior space where you can walk. Multiple modules can be stacked to create multi-story layouts.
  3. Cockpit: The command center. You can choose from various aesthetics, such as the industrial Titan-class or the sleek Ambassador-class.
  4. Reactor: The power source for your hyperdrive and sublight thrusters.

Beyond these essentials, you will want to acquire secondary modules to improve performance:

  • Thrusters and Engines: For maneuverability and speed.
  • Wing Modules: These provide stability during atmospheric flight on planets.
  • Weapon Systems: Such as Photo Cannon arrays or Phase Beams.
  • External Plating: Decorative and functional armor that defines the ship's silhouette.

How to Acquire Corvette Parts and Modules

There are two primary ways to fill your inventory with ship parts: purchasing them with Units or salvaging them from planetary surfaces.

Purchasing Basic Modules

For players with a healthy balance of Units, the fastest way to start is the "Purchase Modules" option at the Workshop Terminal. Basic C-class modules typically cost between 1.5 million and 3 million Units each. While expensive for new players, this is the most reliable way to get a functional ship off the ground. Every Space Station stocks the same basic set of parts, so there is no need to jump between systems to find different starter aesthetics.

Salvaging Rare and High-Class Modules

To obtain A-class or S-class components, you must engage in planetary exploration. Scan planets from space and look for the "Salvageable Scrap" icon (a yellow shield with a transmission signal).

  • Land at these sites and use your Terrain Manipulator to excavate the scrap containers.
  • Destroy the protective casing with your Multi-tool.
  • Loot the container for random Corvette modules.

In our testing, high-security or extreme-weather planets tend to yield higher-quality salvage, including rare wing configurations and specialized reactors that provide significant boosts to hyperdrive range. Additionally, raiding pirate freighters or searching derelict freighters in deep space can occasionally reward you with unique outlaw-themed modules.

The Step-by-Step Construction Process

Once you have gathered your modules, interact with the Design Terminal and select "Create New Corvette." This will open a 3D building interface.

Step 1: Placing the Foundation

Start by selecting your Landing Gear from the menu (Z on PC, Triangle/Y on consoles). Place it in the center of the highlighted grid. This determines the orientation of your ship.

Step 2: Connecting the Habitation and Cockpit

Snap your Habitation Module onto the landing gear. Most builders prefer a central layout, but you can offset modules for a more asymmetrical, "Millennium Falcon" style. Once the hab is placed, attach the Cockpit to the front or top. You will see green "snap points" indicating where parts can legally connect.

Step 3: Power and Propulsion

Attach the Reactor to the rear or underside of the habitation unit. Following this, add your Thrusters. For maximum maneuverability, place thrusters symmetrically on either side of the hull. If you are building a heavy explorer, a single large "Pyro Drive Booster" at the rear is often more efficient.

Step 4: Aesthetics and Weapons

This is where you define the ship's personality. Add wings, antennas, and hull plating (like the Argonaut Cowling) to hide exposed wiring and pipes. Mount your weapon systems on the hardpoints—usually located on the wings or the roof of the cockpit.

Step 5: Finalizing the Design

When the structure is complete, exit the build menu and select "Finalize Current Design" at the terminal. Here, you can choose a global color palette and material finish (Metallic, Matte, or Weathered). Finalizing the ship will lock in its stats based on the quality of the modules used. Note that a Corvette occupies one of your 12 starship slots.

Customizing the Interior of Your Corvette

The most exciting feature of the Corvette is the "Walkable Interior." Unlike a standard starship where you are locked into the pilot's seat, you can stand up mid-flight and move around.

Accessing the Interior

While flying in space, open your Quick Menu (X on PC, Down on D-pad for consoles) and select "Leave Pilot Seat." Your character will stand up, and the ship will maintain its current course or engage its autopilot.

Functional Interior Modules

You can use the standard base-building menu (Z) inside your ship to place functional items. We recommend installing the following for a mobile base experience:

  • Mission Radar: This allows you to browse and start missions without visiting a Space Station or the Anomaly.
  • Refiners: Essential for processing resources like Chromatic Metal or Carbon while on long journeys.
  • Storage Units: Corvettes can hold up to 120 slots of cargo, and adding physical storage containers allows you to access your freighter inventory remotely.
  • Living Walls: These act as a renewable source of Carbon and provide a decorative, organic feel to the cold metal interior.

Advanced Flight Features and Gameplay

The Corvette is more than just a large ship; it introduces new mechanics for interacting with the universe.

Autopilot and Navigation

At the cockpit terminal, you can set the ship to "Autopilot to Planet" or "Station." This allows you to walk to the back of the ship, use your refiners, or manage your inventory while the ship handles the flight. It is a highly efficient way to multi-task during long-distance pulse jumps.

Planet Beaming

When hovering in the upper atmosphere of a planet, you can use the hatch controls to "Beam Down." This instantly teleports your character to the surface without needing to land the ship. A temporary beacon is placed on the ground, allowing you to beam back up to the Corvette whenever you are ready. This saves significant Launch Fuel and is perfect for rapid resource gathering.

Spacewalks

If you are in a low-hazard system, you can open the rear hatch while in space to perform a spacewalk. This is useful for repairing external modules or simply enjoying the view of your fleet. Ensure your Jetpack is fully charged before attempting this, as drifting too far from the ship can be fatal.

Summary of Corvette Building in NMS

Building a Corvette in No Man's Sky is a deep, rewarding system that bridges the gap between starship combat and base building. By locating a Corvette Workshop, gathering high-quality salvaged modules, and carefully planning your interior layout, you can create a truly unique mobile home among the stars. Whether you want a nimble combat corvette or a massive, multi-story science vessel, the Voyagers update provides the tools to make it happen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I have more than one Corvette?

Yes. You can own multiple Corvettes, provided you have open starship slots in your collection. The current limit is 12 starships per save file.

How do I upgrade a Corvette from C-class to S-class?

While you can upgrade the class at a standard Starship Outfitting terminal using Nanites, the most effective way is to replace your existing modules with S-class salvaged parts at the Corvette Workshop.

Can my friends walk inside my Corvette during multiplayer?

Yes. The Corvette supports full multi-crew functionality. Your friends can board your ship, use your refiners, and even man the mission radar while you pilot the vessel.

What happens if my Corvette is destroyed?

Like any other starship, if your Corvette is destroyed, it will respawn at your last save point or can be summoned via the Quick Menu if you have a Repair Kit or the necessary resources to fix the core modules.

Can I change the design after finalizing it?

Yes. You can return to any Corvette Workshop, select "Modify Existing Corvette," and swap out parts. Note that you may need to pay a small fee in Units to "re-finalize" the structural integrity of the new design.