The RSI Constellation Mk V Centaurus is the next generation of Roberts Space Industries' classic multi-crew gunship and freighter. Introduced during RSI Discovery Month in Alpha 4.10.2, it combines 240 SCU of cargo capacity, four pilot-controlled Size 5 weapons, two quad-Size 3 remote turrets, and a dedicated RSI Skylark snub fighter.

Its appeal is straightforward: one ship can transport cargo and ground vehicles, fight with a small crew, and deploy a separate scout or support craft without requiring a dedicated carrier.

The compromise is its size and handling. The Centaurus is heavier and less agile than the older Constellation Mk IV, and its strongest combat capabilities depend on additional crew members.

For players looking for a multi-role ship that supports several activities in one session, the Centaurus is a compelling option. For dedicated solo combat or maximum cargo efficiency, more specialized ships can make better use of the same investment.

Constellation Mk V Centaurus Specifications

The Centaurus is a flight-ready multi-role spacecraft rather than a concept ship awaiting implementation. Its Alpha 4.10.2 introduction makes current gameplay information especially relevant when comparing it with older Constellation variants.

Specification	Current Alpha 4.10.2
Manufacturer	Roberts Space Industries (RSI)
Ship	Constellation Mk V Centaurus
Role	Medium Freight / Gunship
Status	Flight Ready
Crew	4
Cargo Capacity	240 SCU
Cargo Grid	1 × 240 SCU
Length	82.5 m
Width	47.5 m
Height	Approximately 20.25 m
SCM Speed	170 m/s
Maximum / NAV Speed	1,075 m/s
Pilot Weapons	4 × S5
Remote Turrets	2 × quad-S3
Ready-to-Fire Missiles	32 × S2
Shield Generators	2 × S3
Included Snub Fighter	RSI Skylark
Quantum Fuel	8.6 SCU
Standard Standalone Pledge Price	$300 USD
Warbond Standalone Price	$275 USD

Vehicle data note: Dimensions, crew count, cargo-grid configuration, flight speeds, quantum fuel, and implementation-level component information are taken from the Star Citizen Wiki API vehicle record for Alpha 4.10.2-LIVE.12881860.

The extracted implementation dimensions are Length 82.5 m, Width 47.5 m, and Height approximately 20.25 m. These are version-locked implementation values rather than an independently attributed RSI Ship Matrix dimension tuple.

The cargo grid is one 240-SCU grid, not multiple independent grids totaling 240 SCU. The versioned vehicle record also identifies Crew 4, SCM speed 170 m/s, NAV speed 1,075 m/s, and quantum fuel capacity 8.6 SCU.

The weapon configuration, shield upgrades, and other design details are supported by the official RSI Constellation Mk V Centaurus launch page and developer Q&A.

What Makes the Mk V Centaurus Different?

The Mk V is not simply an Andromeda with updated textures. RSI has redesigned the Constellation around a larger hull, revised crew facilities, improved defensive systems, and more substantial cargo handling.

Its increased capacity makes it suitable for missions where the crew needs to bring equipment, vehicles, and supplies alongside its combat capabilities.

The larger hull also changes how it flies. RSI's Vehicle and Gameplay teams confirm that the Mk V accelerates and turns more slowly than the Mk IV. It is tuned to a heavier ship class, requiring more room to reposition during combat, but gains durability, stronger shields, and a higher NAV speed.

That makes it better suited to deliberate engagements than to chasing agile fighters around a battlefield.

A redesigned bridge and interior

The Centaurus brings its principal crew stations together on a redesigned bridge. The old Constellation's obstructive cockpit struts have been removed, improving visibility.

Its interior includes expanded habitation facilities, a kitchen, crew accommodation, and recreational space. These features are useful for a ship intended to remain away from a home station while supporting several mission types.

The more significant operational improvement is access to internal components and missile storage. A crew can manage ship systems and replenish missile racks from onboard stores without treating every combat engagement as an immediate return-to-station event.

However, internal missile restocking does not mean the ship has unlimited ammunition. The crew still needs to carry replacement missiles and perform the loading work.

Cargo Capacity and Ground Vehicle Transport

CARGO CAPACITY

240 SCU

One cargo grid · Alpha 4.10.2-LIVE.12881860

The Centaurus carries 240 SCU, giving it a substantial advantage in carrying capacity over the combat-oriented Mk IV Andromeda.

Its ventral cargo elevator is designed for more than standard freight containers.

In the official Centaurus Q&A, RSI confirms that the increased cargo capacity supports some of its largest current ground vehicles. The statement establishes the intended large-vehicle transport role without guaranteeing compatibility with every ground vehicle or every possible loading arrangement.

The cargo bay's actual usefulness depends on vehicle dimensions, available clearance, cargo-grid space, and the loading process.

Why the cargo layout matters

A conventional cargo ship is evaluated primarily by how much freight it can carry and how quickly it can load, travel, and unload.

The Centaurus has a broader role. Its cargo bay allows a crew to transport mission supplies, ground vehicles, and trading goods while retaining a heavily armed mothership.

Consider a four-player group preparing for a planetary operation. The crew can bring a ground vehicle, carry equipment and supplies, use the Centaurus as its transport and defensive platform, and deploy the Skylark separately when needed.

The limitation is that 240 SCU of published capacity does not guarantee every combination of containers and vehicles will fit simultaneously. Large vehicles consume usable cargo-bay space, and practical loading depends on geometry, access, and the available cargo grid.

For repeated bulk hauling, a dedicated freighter may provide a more efficient workflow. The Centaurus earns its place when the cargo is part of a broader mission rather than the entire purpose of the trip.

Weapons and Combat Performance

The Centaurus retains the familiar Constellation emphasis on substantial forward firepower, but its revised turret arrangement makes it more useful with a coordinated crew.

Pilot-controlled weapons

The pilot controls four Size 5 weapons, with the published default loadout using CF-557 Galdereen repeaters.

This gives the pilot meaningful direct firepower without requiring another player to operate the primary guns.

Against larger or less agile targets, concentrated forward fire can be effective. Against smaller fighters, the Centaurus must contend with slower turning and acceleration, making it harder to maintain firing solutions.

Its weapons do not remove the disadvantages of flying a relatively large target.

Remote turrets

The Centaurus has two remote turrets, each carrying four Size 3 weapons.

Turret	Weapons	Operation
Upper remote turret	4 × S3	Separate bridge crew operator
Lower remote turret	4 × S3	Separate bridge crew operator

Both turrets are remotely operated by separate crew members from the bridge, as confirmed in the official RSI Q&A.

Compared with the older manned-turret approach, this configuration keeps the crew together while expanding the ship's defensive coverage.

The advantage is especially relevant when the pilot cannot keep the ship's nose pointed at a target. Turret operators can engage threats from other directions while the pilot concentrates on positioning and the primary weapons.

With only one player aboard, those crew-operated weapons cannot provide their intended contribution through normal manual operation.

Missiles and onboard restocking

The Centaurus carries 32 ready-to-fire Size 2 missiles, distributed across two matching racks containing 16 missiles each.

Additional missiles can be stored internally and loaded into the active racks during flight. RSI specifically confirmed this arrangement in the October 2026 developer Q&A. The Alpha 4.10.2 vehicle data also identifies the matching missile-rack configuration.

This is useful during longer combat sessions because a prepared crew can replenish its missile racks without immediately returning to a station.

Missiles still require appropriate target selection, firing opportunities, and sufficient supplies. Restocking also creates work for the crew, particularly when the ship is operating under pressure.

Onboard missile storage is a resupply capability, not automatic or unlimited rearming. Once the carried replacements are exhausted, the ship must acquire more ammunition.

Shields, armor, and survivability

The Mk V uses two Size 3 shield generators, gaining a second generator compared with the older Mk IV arrangement.

RSI also describes improved armor deflection and integrity, while explicitly stating that the Centaurus remains less heavily armored than dedicated warships such as the Perseus and Hammerhead.

The ship is consequently better understood as an armed multi-role vessel than as a replacement for a dedicated combat ship.

It can defend itself and contribute significant damage, but its large profile and limited maneuverability remain vulnerabilities against coordinated opponents.

Improved armor and stronger shields do not guarantee survival against larger warships or organized fighter groups. Combat outcomes still depend on the engagement, available crew, positioning, and current game mechanics.

RSI Skylark: The Centaurus' Dedicated Snub Fighter

The RSI Skylark is an important part of the Centaurus' multi-role identity.

It is designed to dock with the Mk V and operate independently when the crew needs a smaller spacecraft.

Unlike a general-purpose hangar, the Centaurus uses a dedicated docking arrangement. RSI confirms that the Skylark is currently the only ship compatible with it.

The older Kruger P-52 Merlin and P-72 Archimedes cannot use the Mk V docking port because of their different docking geometry.

Skylark weapons and equipment

Feature	RSI Skylark
Type	Snub fighter
Primary Weapons	3 × S2
Missile Racks	2 × 5 S1
Total Missiles	10 × S1
Shield Generators	2
Pilot Position	Prone
Docking	Dedicated Mk V docking port
Components	Fully accessible
Inventory	Accessible while docked or landed
Weapon Rack	Accessible while docked or landed

RSI describes the Skylark as relatively heavy and less agile than a typical snub fighter. Its additional shielding gives it greater staying power, but it should not be mistaken for a highly maneuverable interceptor.

The official Q&A also confirms that the Skylark's inventory and weapon rack remain accessible while the craft is docked or landed. This makes it useful as a small support vehicle rather than merely an additional weapon platform.

What the Skylark adds to gameplay

A four-player Centaurus crew could assign three players to the mothership and send the fourth out in the Skylark.

The smaller craft can investigate an area, approach a target independently, or provide additional firepower while the Centaurus remains in a supporting position.

However, launching the Skylark reduces the number of people available to operate the mothership. That trade-off becomes especially relevant in combat, when both remote turrets and ship maintenance may need attention.

The Centaurus also cannot refuel, rearm, or repair the Skylark through mothership servicing functionality.

The official Q&A explicitly rules this out. The docking system provides carriage and deployment, not the full services of a carrier hangar.

For owners planning extended operations, that limitation affects how frequently the Skylark can be deployed and how its supplies are managed.

Crew Requirements and Solo Gameplay

The current Alpha 4.10.2 implementation record lists Crew 4 for the Centaurus.

That is the ship-level crew figure from the version-locked vehicle data. Practical crew recommendations depend on how the owner intends to use the ship.

The more useful question is how much of its equipment and mission flexibility remains available as the crew gets smaller.

Solo operation

A solo pilot retains control of the four Size 5 primary weapons and can transport cargo or ground vehicles.

That makes the Centaurus usable for solo transport and selected PvE activities.

However, a solo player must handle navigation, combat, cargo management, repairs, and any relevant engineering workload without assistance.

The remote turrets are intended for other operators, while deploying the Skylark would require leaving the mothership without its pilot.

Solo operation therefore sacrifices a substantial part of what makes the Centaurus attractive.

Two-player operation

Two players can divide piloting and secondary duties.

A second player can operate a remote turret, help manage cargo, or attend to onboard systems. The crew can also choose to deploy the Skylark, although doing so leaves only one player aboard the Centaurus.

This is a workable arrangement for general missions, but the crew must choose which capabilities matter most at any given moment.

Three- to four-player operation

For routine multi-role operations, three to four players is the practical editorial recommendation, not a separate official crew specification.

Three players can cover piloting and both remote turrets, while four provide additional flexibility for engineering, cargo handling, or Skylark deployment.

Even with four players, every role cannot necessarily be staffed simultaneously. Sending one person out in the snub fighter still removes that person from the mothership.

The Centaurus is most attractive to a regular small group willing to coordinate roles rather than to a solo player looking for a larger version of a personal fighter.

Constellation Mk V Centaurus Price and Availability

As of October 16, 2026, RSI lists two distinct standalone pledge offers.

Standard Standalone

$300 USD

120 Month Insurance

RSI Store

Warbond Standalone

$275 USD

Lifetime Insurance and two Convergence paints

RSI Store

The standard $300 package includes 120 Month Insurance. The $275 Warbond standalone package includes Lifetime Insurance and both the Constellation Mk V Convergence Paint and Skylark Convergence Paint.

Warbond purchases require new money and cannot be made using store credit. Both prices are current standalone pledge offers, not CCU prices or universal ship upgrade values.

A Star Citizen Game Package is required to play. Purchasing either standalone Centaurus pledge does not, by itself, grant game access.

Can you buy the Centaurus with aUEC?

A verified permanent in-game purchase price is not currently available in the referenced Alpha 4.10.2 acquisition records.

The Centaurus became playable during RSI Discovery Month in Alpha 4.10.2. CIG provided pre-release event rental access to the Centaurus and Skylark before the ship's formal pledge release.

That rental access allowed players to experience the ships during the event, but it did not establish permanent ownership or regular in-game purchasing availability.

The current versioned acquisition data does not identify a permanent aUEC shop price. Until a regular purchase location and price can be independently verified, players should not assume the Centaurus is permanently purchasable using in-game currency.

Is the Centaurus available for CCU upgrades?

Its standalone pledge availability does not by itself verify every CCU option.

Players considering an upgrade should check the live RSI Ship Upgrades interface for eligible source ships, upgrade values, and any available Warbond CCUs.

Those are separate purchase methods, and the $275 Warbond standalone price must not be used as a Warbond CCU price.

Constellation Mk V Centaurus vs Mk IV Andromeda and Taurus

The Centaurus enters a ship family that already includes two popular options for different types of owners: the combat-oriented Andromeda and the freight-focused Taurus.

The Mk V does not automatically replace either ship. Its larger hull and improved equipment come with different handling and operating requirements.

Feature	Mk V Centaurus	Mk IV Andromeda	Mk IV Taurus
Primary Focus	Multi-role freight / gunship	Gunship / light freight	Medium freight
Cargo Capacity	240 SCU	96 SCU	174 SCU
Pilot Weapons	4 × S5	4 × S5	4 × S5
Combat Emphasis	Heavy crew-supported armament	More compact gunship	Cargo with defensive capability
Handling	Heavier, slower turning	More agile than Mk V	Mk IV flight characteristics
Snub Fighter	Skylark	P-52 Merlin	No dedicated snub
Best Suited To	Mixed crew missions	Combat-oriented owners	Freight-oriented owners

The Mk IV figures are included for broad role comparison. This table is not a version-locked, side-by-side performance benchmark covering every current Mk IV component, handling value, or combat statistic.

Choose the Centaurus for mixed operations

The Centaurus makes the strongest case when a crew wants to combine substantial cargo transport, ground vehicle deployment, combat, and a separate snub fighter.

Its 240 SCU capacity and revised turrets support a wider range of activities without switching ships.

The drawback is operating a larger vessel for tasks that may not require all of those capabilities.

Choose the Andromeda for a more compact gunship

The Andromeda remains a sensible alternative for players who primarily want Constellation-style combat and do not need the Centaurus' expanded cargo bay.

Its smaller size and lighter handling make it easier to reposition than the Mk V, although it gives up cargo capacity and the newer turret configuration.

Choose the Taurus for freight-oriented ownership

The Taurus is better aligned with owners whose main priority is cargo transport rather than running a fully equipped multi-role crew.

Its simpler mission focus avoids paying for capabilities such as the Centaurus' dedicated snub fighter and expanded combat stations when they will rarely be used.

The Centaurus carries more published cargo capacity, but that alone does not establish that it is more profitable for routine hauling. Purchase cost, loading workflow, operating expenses, and actual route performance all matter.

Is the Constellation Mk V Centaurus Worth Buying?

The Centaurus is worth considering for players who regularly switch between combat, cargo transport, and ground operations, especially those who have two or three other people available to crew the ship.

Its strengths are unusually well aligned with mixed-session gameplay. A group can transport a ground vehicle, carry useful quantities of freight, defend itself with substantial armament, and deploy the Skylark without changing motherships.

It is less compelling for someone who mainly runs solo bounty missions or moves commodities between stations. Those players may find that the additional size, crew dependency, and specialized equipment increase operating friction without delivering enough practical benefit.

The $300 standard standalone price also deserves careful consideration. The Centaurus offers more capability than the older Constellation models, but additional capability only creates value when the owner uses it.

A solo pilot who rarely deploys the Skylark and seldom staffs the turrets is paying for a substantial amount of unused functionality.

The best reasons to own one

• A regular small crew wants one ship for cargo, vehicle deployment, and combat.
• Ground vehicle transport is an important part of the group's missions.
• The owner values a dedicated snub fighter alongside the mothership.
• Crew members enjoy operating turrets and handling onboard systems.

Players focused on dedicated fighter combat, low-friction solo hauling, or the lowest possible operating overhead should consider more specialized alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Constellation Mk V Centaurus flyable?

Yes. The Centaurus entered playable Star Citizen with Alpha 4.10.2 during RSI Discovery Month in October 2026. It is not a concept-only ship.

How much cargo does the Centaurus carry?

The Centaurus has a current Alpha 4.10.2 implementation capacity of 240 SCU, provided by one cargo grid. Its ventral cargo elevator also supports transporting large ground vehicles. Carrying vehicles can reduce the space available for ordinary freight.

Does the Centaurus come with a Skylark?

The Centaurus is designed with the RSI Skylark as its dedicated snub fighter. The Skylark docks with the mothership and can be deployed independently. It is not compatible with the older Merlin or Archimedes docking arrangement.

Can the Centaurus repair and refuel the Skylark?

No. RSI explicitly confirms that the Centaurus does not provide mothership refuel, rearm, and repair servicing for the Skylark. Owners must plan the smaller craft's operating supplies accordingly.

Can you fly the Centaurus solo?

Yes, but solo operation does not make full use of its equipment. The pilot controls four Size 5 weapons, while the two remote turrets require additional operators for normal manual use. A small coordinated crew makes better use of the ship.

Final Verdict

The Constellation Mk V Centaurus is a substantial evolution of RSI's established multi-role ship design. It retains the familiar combination of pilot firepower, cargo transport, and snub fighter support while expanding the ship's capacity and crew-operated equipment.

Its strongest feature is not any single statistic. It is the ability to support several mission types with the same small group of players.

The 240 SCU cargo bay makes vehicle deployment and freight transport meaningful activities. The revised turrets give additional crew members useful combat roles, while the Skylark adds an independent spacecraft for scouting or support.

Those advantages are balanced by slower handling, a larger operating footprint, and the need for multiple players to make full use of the equipment.

The Centaurus is a strong choice for a coordinated multi-role crew, but not the automatic best Constellation for every owner.

Players who want a more compact gunship should still consider the Andromeda. Those prioritizing straightforward freight operations have good reasons to consider the Taurus.

For groups that regularly combine transport, combat, and ground operations, the Centaurus offers a particularly coherent package.

Before committing to a pledge or upgrade, compare the current RSI offers with the activities and crew availability you actually expect to have.