- Ostranauts best ship: The Testudo Dream is the top-tier pick for long-term career mode.
- Best free ship: The Volatile costs zero credits but comes with legal risks.
- Budget salvage tug: The Ryoka 77A offers the best value for new salvagers.
- Avoid these: The Retrofit and Box Sled lack oxygen and basic amenities.
- Mortgage strategy: Loan payments are manageable regardless of the starting ship choice.
Starting Ship Tier List Overview
Choosing the right vessel in Ostranauts career mode shapes your entire early-game experience. With approximately seven to eight ships available, each offers distinct advantages in salvage operations, cargo capacity, and survivability. Some ships are ready to fly immediately, while others require significant repairs but reward you with superior long-term potential.
Video Highlights:
- Full ranking of all career mode starting ships from S to F tier
- Detailed breakdown of the Testudo Dream and why it dominates the list
- Strategy for using the free Volatile ship effectively
- Warnings about oxygen-deprived ships like the Retrofit and Box Sled
- Mortgage and payment comparisons across all vessel classes
If you recently returned to Ostranauts, note that a new-player limit restricts ship selection until you complete the tutorial (docking with a derelict). After that, the full range of ships becomes available for selection.
The ship selection screen determines your starting mortgage, available amenities, and how much repair work awaits you before your first salvage run. Players who want a challenge can pick damaged ships with lower payments, while those seeking a smooth start should aim for vessels with oxygen, functional reactors, and adequate storage.
S-Tier: The Testudo Dream
The Testudo Dream stands alone as the best ship in Ostranauts career mode. This passenger shuttle weighs nearly 4,700 kg with only two RCS thrusters, making it the slowest vessel available. However, what it lacks in speed, it compensates for with unmatched utility and upgrade potential.
| Attribute | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Space | ★★★★★ | Massive internal capacity, sell four seats for more room |
| Oxygen System | ★★★★★ | Dual oxygen intakes for redundancy |
| Fuel Capacity | ★★★★☆ | Two RCS modules, two fuel tanks |
| Starting Cost | ★★★★☆ | Cheaper than the Melody and Liliput |
| Repair Needs | ★★★★☆ | Ready to fly with minimal fixes |
| Upgrade Potential | ★★★★★ | Pre-built spaces for reactor and fuel storage |
The Dream comes equipped with four seats that can be sold immediately to free up enormous internal storage space. Its dual oxygen intake system provides a critical safety net — if one intake fails, the second keeps you alive. The ship already includes space large enough for a reactor and fuel storage at start, which is exceptionally rare among starting vessels.
Remove the unnecessary passenger seats right away to reduce weight and create storage space. The freed-up area provides enough room to build a comprehensive salvage operation base. Slow down early when approaching stations — the Dream's weight makes braking critical.
A and B-Tier Ships
Below the Testudo Dream, several ships offer solid performance for different playstyles. The A-tier includes versatile options that balance cost, utility, and upgrade potential.
Volatile (A-Tier)
- Completely free starting ship
- Won or stolen from a gambler
- Four thrusters for excellent speed
- Oxygen canister included
- Risk: Unregistered, legal trouble if caught
Ryoka 77A (A-Tier)
- Best budget salvage tug
- Four thrusters for strong mobility
- Larger battery and extra cooler
- Good storage capacity
- Requires some floor tile repairs
Testudo Liliput (B-Tier)
- Two RCS modules for decent speed
- Tons of internal storage space
- No external storage or webbing
- Higher mortgage payments per shift
- Ready to fly with no repairs needed
| Ship | Tier | Thrusters | Oxygen | Storage | Key Trait |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatile | A | 4 | Yes (canister) | Decent | Free but unregistered |
| Ryoka 77A | A | 4 | No | Good | Best value tug |
| Ryoka 78 | A | 2 | Yes (compartment) | Moderate | Ready to fly, no repairs |
| Liliput | B | 2 | No | Large internal | Good storage, high cost |
| Melody | B | 2 | Yes | Tiny internal | Three fuel tanks, hard to refuel |
The Ryoka 77A is generally the better choice despite needing repairs. It offers four thrusters compared to the 78's two, plus a larger battery and additional cooler. The 78 has an oxygenated compartment and needs no maintenance, but the 77A's superior mobility and power make it the preferred salvage tug for experienced spacers.
The Melody deserves special mention for having three fuel tanks at start — the most of any starting ship. However, its internal storage is extremely limited, and you must perform EVA to access and replace fuel tanks, which creates dangerous suffocation risks during routine maintenance.
C and D-Tier Ships to Avoid
| Ship | Tier | Oxygen | Thrusters | Storage | Major Issues |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryoka TU 76A | C | No | Unknown | Massive (3 nitrogen tanks) | Heavily damaged, very expensive |
| Box Sled | D | Tiny tank | Minimal | Cargo webbing only | Mostly unpressurized |
| Retrofit | D | None | Minimal | Almost none | No oxygen, worst ship available |
The Ryoka TU 76A is an interesting paradox — it comes with three nitrogen fuel tanks and enormous storage potential, but starts as one of the most damaged and expensive ships in the game. Experienced players who enjoy a long-term restoration project may find it rewarding, but beginners should steer clear.
The Retrofit and Box Sled have minimal or no oxygen systems. Players routinely walk into airlocks without oxygen and die. If you choose these ships, prioritize installing an EVA suit and oxygen canister before any other activity.
The Retrofit is the cheapest ship available at game start, making it tempting for budget-conscious players. However, the complete lack of oxygen makes it a death trap for inexperienced spacers. The Box Sled offers cargo webbing for external storage but shares similar oxygen problems, with only a tiny pressurized compartment.
How to Choose Your Ship
Selecting the right ship depends on your preferred playstyle, risk tolerance, and long-term goals. Follow this decision framework to make the best choice for your career.
Assess Your Playstyle
Decide whether you want immediate action or long-term building. Players who want to upgrade and customize should pick the Testudo Dream. Those who want quick salvage runs should consider the Volatile or Ryoka 77A.
Evaluate Your Budget
Review the mortgage payments per shift for each ship. Higher-tier ships like the Testudo Dream cost more upfront but offer better value. Budget ships like the Retrofit are cheap but require immediate upgrades to be functional.
Check Essential Systems
Verify the ship has or can support: a functional reactor, fuel storage, oxygen system, and EVA suit compatibility. Ships missing these basics will cost significant time and credits to make operational.
Plan Your Upgrade Path
Map out which components you will add first. Prioritize life support (oxygen, heater, cooler), then mobility (thrusters, RCS), then utility (storage, cargo webbing). The Testudo Dream and Ryoka 77A offer the most flexible upgrade paths.
Execute Your Strategy
Launch your career with a clear plan. If using the Volatile, avoid police scans. If using a damaged ship, target nearby derelicts for salvage materials to fund immediate repairs.
Get an EVA suit first, then find a derelict ship with a reactor and fuel tank. Salvage it, repair it, and purchase it from the kiosk. This approach lets you start cheap and upgrade to a better ship without paying off a large mortgage on a vessel you plan to replace.
Ship Comparison Summary
| Ship | Tier | Cost | Oxygen | Best For | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Testudo Dream | S | Moderate | Dual intake | Long-term base building | Low |
| Volatile | A | Free | Canister | Quick starts, illegal runs | High (unregistered) |
| Ryoka 77A | A | Cheap | No | Budget salvage operations | Medium |
| Ryoka 78 | A | Moderate | Compartment | Comfortable salvaging | Low |
| Liliput | B | High | No | Storage-focused play | Medium |
| Melody | B | High | Yes | Long-range missions | Medium (refuel danger) |
| TU 76A | C | Expensive | No | Restoration projects | High (heavy damage) |
| Box Sled | D | Cheap | Minimal | Hardcore challenge | Very High |
| Retrofit | D | Cheapest | None | Extreme challenge | Very High |
The mortgage and installment amounts make little practical difference in difficulty. Even the steepest payments are manageable through regular salvage operations. Focus on ship utility and upgrade potential rather than the loan cost when making your selection.
Pre-Launch Checklist:
- Verify oxygen system is functional or install EVA suit
- Confirm reactor and fuel tank are operational
- Check thruster count and RCS module availability
- Review storage capacity for salvage operations
- Plan first three upgrades before leaving the dock
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best ship in Ostranauts career mode?
The Testudo Dream is widely considered the best starting ship. It offers massive storage space, dual oxygen intakes for safety, pre-built reactor and fuel storage areas, and room for extensive upgrades. Despite being slow and heavy, its utility is unmatched for long-term play.
Q: Can you get a free ship in Ostranauts?
Yes, the Volatile is the only free ship available. You obtain it through a character creation event by winning or stealing a key from a gambler. However, the ship is unregistered, meaning you risk legal consequences if scanned by authorities.
Q: Are there only three starter ships to pick from?
No, there are approximately seven to eight ships available. New players may only see a limited selection until they complete the tutorial by docking with a derelict. After that, the full range of ships becomes accessible.
Q: Does the starting mortgage amount matter significantly?
Based on community experience, mortgage and installment amounts have minimal impact on gameplay difficulty. Even the highest payments are manageable through regular salvage operations, so prioritize ship utility over loan cost.