What Ships Are Free in Star Citizen Right Now?
5 ships are free right now. Foundation Festival 2026 is live — anyone can play free Jul 29 – Aug 10, 2026, no purchase required.
Free to fly during Foundation Festival 2026
RSI Aurora Mk II
The classic starter — a single-seat ship built for first flights and light missions.
Drake Cutter
A compact cargo ship: haul small loads and learn the trading loop.
Drake Golem
A mining ship — crack rocks and try the industrial career.
Crusader Intrepid
A single-seat courier for delivery missions.
RSI Salvation
A salvage ship — strip hulls and try the salvage career.
How free ships work during a Free Fly
During a Free Fly window, CIG unlocks a set of ships for everyone — including brand-new accounts that have never spent a dollar. You fly them for the length of the event; when it ends, so does access. Big events like the Intergalactic Aerospace Expo rotate 100+ ships through manufacturer showcase days, while smaller events curate a handful that cover the main careers.
What recent events unlocked
| Event | Dates | Free ships |
|---|---|---|
| DefenseCon 2956 | May 14–27, 2026 | 100+ ships via 48-hour rentals — full manufacturer lineup |
| Intergalactic Aerospace Expo 2955 | Nov 20 – Dec 3, 2025 | Crusader Intrepid (event loaner) |
| Invictus Launch Week 2955 | May 15–27, 2025 | Aegis Avenger Titan (event loaner) |
| Intergalactic Aerospace Expo 2954 | Nov 22 – Dec 5, 2024 | 100+ rotating ships — daily 48-hour manufacturer halls |
Fly them free
A free RSI account is all you need during an event window — and a referral code at signup adds 50,000 UEC that stays on your account for good.
Frequently asked questions
What ships are free in Star Citizen right now?
5 ships are free to fly during Foundation Festival 2026 (Jul 29 – Aug 10, 2026): RSI Aurora Mk II, Drake Cutter, Drake Golem, Crusader Intrepid, RSI Salvation. No purchase is required — create a free RSI account and download the game.
Do I keep the free ships after the event?
No. Free Fly ships are available only during the event window. When it ends, access ends with it. What does carry over is your account — and the 50,000 UEC referral bonus if you signed up with a referral code.
How do I fly the free ships?
Create a free RSI account (use a referral code at signup — it cannot be added later), download the launcher and the game, and the event ships appear in your hangar for the duration of the Free Fly. No purchase is required.
Which events unlock the most ships?
The Intergalactic Aerospace Expo (IAE) every November is the biggest — historically 100+ ships free across rotating manufacturer days. May flagship events like DefenseCon 2956 have run similar large rotations. Mid-year events like Foundation Festival offer a smaller, curated lineup aimed at new players.
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