The RSI Aurora Mk I, the original model of RSI’s entry-level starter ship, is officially retired on September 30, 2026. On that date it leaves the Pledge Store, the website shop where ships are bought with real money, as RSI makes way for the newer Aurora Mk II.
If you already own one, nothing is taken away. CIG posted a reminder on Spectrum on September 16 that spells out what stays the same and the one thing owners should check before the deadline: the Buy Back queue.
What happens on September 30
Two things change on the retirement date, and both concern the website rather than the game.
- The Aurora Mk I is removed from the Pledge Store
- Any unretrieved standalone ships, upgrades or CCUs (Cross-Chassis Upgrades, the tokens that convert one ship into another) that specifically involve the Aurora Mk I and sit in your Buy Back queue can no longer be retrieved after that date
What does not change if you own one
An Aurora Mk I already in your hangar stays yours and stays fully playable. CIG says the ship will continue to be supported in game, including repairs, refueling, maintenance, components and general gameplay.
The comparison CIG draws is the Anvil Hornet Mk I, which was retired from sale earlier and still flies normally for the people who own it. Retirement here means the end of sales, not the end of the ship.
Check your Buy Back queue before the deadline
Buy Back is the list of pledges you have previously melted, meaning exchanged for store credit, which can normally be restored later. The retirement puts a hard stop on that for this ship. A melted standalone Aurora Mk I, or an upgrade to or from one, that you still want has to be retrieved before September 30.
CIG’s wording covers standalone ships, upgrades and CCUs that specifically involve the Aurora Mk I. If you have anything else in the queue that you are unsure about, the Spectrum thread is where CIG is answering questions.
A six-month sunset, and a possible return in game
This is not a surprise removal. CIG first announced the retirement in March, giving a six-month window for anyone who wanted to add the original Aurora to their fleet, and covered the plan in its RSI Aurora Q&A.
CIG also says it may introduce new ways to earn the Aurora Mk I in game as development continues. That is a possibility rather than a promise, and no timing was given.
What this means for new players
If you are about to start, the practical effect is simple: after September 30 the original Aurora can no longer be bought on the website, and the Aurora Mk II is the current model in RSI’s starter line. You do not need to rush to grab a Mk I. A starter ship is a way into the game, most ships can be bought with in-game money later, and the Mk I remains fully supported for anyone who already has one. Our Star Citizen referral code guide explains how the 50,000 UEC signup bonus works and how to apply code STAR-6WPK-3K56 before you enlist.
Frequently Asked Questions
September 30, 2026. On that date the Aurora Mk I is removed from the Pledge Store as RSI moves to the Aurora Mk II.
No. If you already have an Aurora Mk I it stays yours and remains fully playable and supported in game, including repairs, refueling, maintenance and components.
No. CIG says unretrieved standalone ships, upgrades and CCUs that specifically involve the Aurora Mk I will no longer be retrievable from Buy Back after the retirement date.
CIG says it may introduce new ways to earn the Aurora Mk I in game as development continues, but it has not committed to a method or a date.
Source: RSI Aurora Mk I Retirement Reminder. Details come from CIG’s RSI Aurora Mk I Retirement Reminder, posted on Spectrum on September 16, 2026.
