No Mans Sky Sell Ship Options And What Happens When You Trade

Managing your fleet in No Man's Sky requires a clear understanding of how to liquidate surplus starships and exchange them for upgraded models. Players can scrap unwanted vessels for valuable components or use their current craft as a trade-in credit toward a new purchase. Knowing the exact mechanics behind these transactions prevents unnecessary loss of valuable gear and resources.

Scrapping Ships at the Starship Outfitting Terminal

To convert an unwanted vessel directly into currency and resources, players must visit the Starship Outfitting Terminal located inside space stations. Selecting the salvage option breaks the starship down into high-value tradeable scrap, technology modules, and customization parts. These items can then be sold to local vendors for substantial Unit returns or refined into Nanites.

Before confirming the scrapping process, travelers should dismantle all installed technology manually to gather bonus resources. Any cargo remaining in the starship inventory should also be transferred to your personal suit to prevent permanent loss. Once dismantled, the system automatically replaces your primary vessel with another starship from your active collection.

Trading Starships with Alien Pilots

Exchanging your current starship directly with NPC pilots at planetary trading posts or space stations offers an immediate path toward acquiring new craft. When negotiating a purchase, selecting the exchange option applies the trade-in value of your active ship toward the cost of the target vessel. If your active ship is worth more than the target, the trade-in reduces the purchase price to zero.

Trading completely replaces your active vessel, leaving your old starship parked temporarily in the landing bay. If you act quickly, you can interact with the NPC who now owns your former ship to inspect it or swap back. However, leaving the system or reloading your save permanently closes the opportunity to retrieve a traded craft.

Handling Crashed and Damaged Vessels

Discovering crashed starships on alien planets is one of the most profitable exploration activities available to interstellar travelers. You do not need to repair every broken slot to claim or scrap a found vessel. Fixing only the essential launch thrusters and pulse engine allows you to safely transport the craft to a space station for salvage.

Players can also utilize base teleporters to move damaged starships to space stations without completing extensive flight repairs. Claiming crashed ships expands your roster, allowing you to cycle through them at leisure via the quick menu. Utilizing these salvage methods creates a steady income stream for funding high-tier upgrades.

Essential Safeguards Before Confirming a Deal

Always inspect the technology and cargo slots of both vessels before finalizing any trade or salvage contract. Installing upgrade modules into a fresh ship ensures you maintain peak hyperdrive range and combat efficiency immediately. For additional guidance on managing your fleet, check the details to optimize your setup.

Maintaining inventory space in your exosuit is critical during scrapping, as receiving multiple salvage items requires free inventory slots. If your inventory lacks sufficient space, the terminal will prevent the transaction from completing until room is made. Careful preparation ensures every trade yields maximum value without risking valuable starship components.