The Voyagers update for No Man’s Sky introduced one of the game’s biggest features yet: the ability to build your own Corvette-class starship. Unlike traditional ships, Corvettes are modular, walkable, and highly customizable—acting like a mix between a freighter and a starship. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about building, customizing, and upgrading your own Corvette from scratch.
Getting Started: Where to Build a Corvette
Every space station now has a dedicated Corvette Workshop. After landing, look for four blue teleporters (usually to the left or back of the station). Entering one will transport you to the Corvette building area, where construction begins.
Inside, you’ll find building terminals. These let you:
- Create a new Corvette
- Purchase or trade modules
- Modify an existing Corvette
Step 1: Acquire Corvette Modules
Before construction, you’ll need the right parts. Modules can be obtained in two main ways.
Purchase Basic Modules
At the workshop terminal, select “Purchase Modules.” Start by buying one of each essential component:
- Landing Gear
- Habitation Module
- Cockpit
- Reactor
- Thrusters
- Weapon System
- Landing Bay
These modules form the foundation of your ship. Some, like landing gear or wings, may require multiples. All starter modules are C-class and cannot be traded. Every Space Station sells the same set, so there’s no need to hop systems looking for different stock.
Salvage and Trade for Advanced Modules
To improve your Corvette, you’ll need advanced modules:
- Salvageable Scrap: Scan planets for the yellow shield-with-Wi-Fi icon, excavate with the Terrain Manipulator, destroy the casing with your Multi-Tool, and loot the Salvage Container. This yields random ship parts. Building a base near rich scrap zones is a great way to farm efficiently.
- Derelict/crashed freighters, pirate loot, and missions: These can also reward advanced modules.
- Trading: Back at the workshop, use “Trade Advanced Modules” to barter salvaged parts. You can offer up to three at once, with higher-quality parts improving your trade chances.
Step 2: Enter Building Mode
Once you own modules, interact with the workshop terminal and select “Create New Corvette.” This opens the building interface.
- PC: Press
Zto toggle the module menu. - Controller: Use
Triangle (PS)orY (Xbox)to open the menu.
Controls to remember:
- Rotate parts: mouse wheel (PC) / shoulder buttons (controller)
- Color menu: G (PC) / pad button (controller)
- Leave pilot seat in space: X → Leave Pilot Seat (ship options)
Step 3: Build the Core Structure
To make a functional ship, you must install the four essential modules:
- Landing Gear – Place in the center of the pad (starting point).
- Habitation Module – Main interior space where you can later expand with corridors and rooms.
- Cockpit – Snap onto the front of the habitation module.
- Reactor – Provides power and can be placed underneath, on top, or at the rear.
Without all four of these modules, your Corvette will not be flight-ready.
Step 4: Add External Parts
Once the core is in place, you can expand with additional modules:
- Landing Bay – Typically placed at the back of the habitation area.
- Thrusters – One on each side for propulsion.
- Main Engine (Pyrodrive Booster) – Usually positioned behind the reactor.
- Flight Stabilizers (Arcadia S-Foil) – Mounted on the habitation module or reactor sides.
- External Plating (Argonaut Cowling) – Protects thrusters and vulnerable sections.
- Weapon System (Photo Cannon Array) – Can be attached to the sides, top, or underside.
- Ducting Outlets and Antennas – Add visual detail and personality.
Parts can be rotated (shoulder buttons or mouse wheel) and duplicated, so experiment with layouts.
Step 5: Customize Your Corvette
Once the structure is solid, you can style your ship:
- Open the Color Menu (
Gon PC or touchpad on controller). - Apply metallic, matte, or patterned finishes.
- Customize each module individually or apply colors globally.
- Swap materials to change the overall look.
Step 6: Finalize and Claim the Ship
When satisfied with your design, select “Finalize Current Design.” This locks in your Corvette’s stats:
- Class rating (C, B, A, S)
- Maneuverability
- Hyperdrive range
- Shield strength and weapon output
If you’re missing parts, you can store the design and continue later. Once finalized, claim the Corvette to add it to your starship collection (it counts toward the 12-ship limit). Initial builds are usually C-class, but you can upgrade both class and cargo capacity later at the starship scrapper.
Step 7: Interior Customization
The Corvette’s biggest appeal is its walkable interior. After claiming your ship:
- Use “Leave Pilot Seat” from the quick menu while flying.
- Walk through corridors and habitation rooms.
- Enter build mode (
Z) to place functional or decorative items.
Useful interior options include:
- Refiners (function like freighter refiners)
- Storage units
- Living walls and planters
- Beds, chairs, and furniture
- Teleporters for fast travel
These are not just cosmetic—many provide real utility, turning your Corvette into a mobile base.
Step 8: Advanced Features and Exploration
Corvettes come with unique quality-of-life mechanics:
- Spacewalks: Exit through the rear hatch while in space to float outside. A jetpack is highly recommended.
- Planet Beaming: Hover near a planet and use the hatch controls to beam down directly. A temporary teleporter spawns so you can return without using launch fuel.
- Skydive: You can jump from your Corvette while in-atmosphere, though only do this if you can recall your ship afterward.
- Autopilot Management: Choose to maintain your current course, autopilot to the nearest space station, or autopilot to any mapped planet in the system.
Tips for Corvette Building
- Save plenty of Units: Some modules cost over 1.8 million.
- Expect bugs and glitches: As this is a new feature, some players report parts disappearing after edits. Restarting the game often fixes this.
- Corvettes feature large storage (120 slots), making them ideal as mobile bases.
- You can edit your Corvette after finalizing. Return to the workshop, select your ship, and make changes before re-finalizing.
- The Corvette build mission may also trigger by looting certain Corvette parts, such as shield fragments from freighters.
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Building a Corvette in No Man’s Sky is one of the most rewarding systems in the game. From scavenging advanced modules on distant planets to designing a massive starship that doubles as a home, the feature opens the door to endless creativity. Whether you prefer a combat-focused Corvette or a utility-packed mobile base, the Voyagers update gives you the tools to bring that vision to life.
Take your time, gather modules, and experiment with layouts—the possibilities are nearly limitless. Your dream Corvette awaits among the stars. Play Now!
