Star Citizen Aurora Mk I Retires September 30, 2026
The original RSI Aurora Mk I is approaching its final days in the Star Citizen Pledge Store. Cloud Imperium Games has confirmed that the iconic starter ship will officially retire on September 30, 2026, ending its production run as RSI moves forward with the Aurora Mk II.
CIG issued a retirement reminder on September 16, following its initial announcement in March. Players were given a six-month period to acquire the original Aurora before its departure from the store.
The announcement also addresses an important concern for longtime owners: the Aurora Mk I is not being removed from Star Citizen.
Players who already own the ship will be able to keep flying it after retirement. However, the deadline will affect new purchases and certain items held in players' Buy Back queues.
What Happens to the Aurora Mk I on September 30?
The retirement will bring two important changes to how players can acquire the original Aurora.
First, the Aurora Mk I will be removed from the Pledge Store. Players will no longer be able to purchase the original model through its regular pledge listings.
Second, Aurora Mk I-related items in the Buy Back system will be affected.
After September 30, unretrieved standalone ships, upgrades, and CCUs specifically involving the Aurora Mk I will no longer be available for repurchase through Buy Back.
Players who have previously exchanged an Aurora Mk I pledge for store credit should review their Buy Back queues before the deadline if they intend to retrieve it.
This restriction does not remove ships or upgrades that players already own in their active hangars.
Existing Aurora Mk I Owners Can Keep Their Ships
Retirement does not mean the Aurora Mk I will disappear from the Persistent Universe.
CIG has confirmed that existing owners will retain their ships and continue receiving normal gameplay support.
That includes repairs, refueling, maintenance, component functionality, and future bug fixes.
The approach is similar to the retirement of the Anvil Hornet Mk I, which remained playable after its original production run ended.
Aurora Mk I owners will not be required to replace their ships with the newer Mk II.
The original model will remain a separate spacecraft, preserving its place in Star Citizen's growing fleet.
CIG has also left open the possibility of introducing new ways to earn the Aurora Mk I through gameplay in the future. However, no specific acquisition method or release date has been confirmed.
The Aurora Mk II Takes Over
The Aurora Mk II represents the next generation of RSI's entry-level spacecraft.
Rather than replacing the existing Aurora fleet with the newer model, CIG has chosen to preserve the Mk I while ending its regular production and sales.
The two generations will therefore remain distinct ships.
For players entering Star Citizen, the Mk II represents RSI's newer starter-ship design. For longtime backers, the original Aurora remains a recognizable part of the game's history.
The Aurora was among the earliest ships available to Star Citizen supporters, and many players began their journey through the Persistent Universe in one.
Its retirement marks the end of that original production line, but not the end of the ship itself.
What Should Players Check Before the Deadline?
The most important thing for existing owners is to distinguish between an active pledge and an item in Buy Back.
An Aurora Mk I already present in My Hangar will remain available after retirement.
An unretrieved Aurora Mk I pledge or related CCU in Buy Back is different. Those items will no longer be retrievable after September 30.
Players who intend to recover an original Aurora should check their account before the deadline rather than assuming the Buy Back option will remain available indefinitely.
CIG has not announced a replacement deadline or an extension to the retirement period.
For everyone else, there is no immediate action required. Existing Aurora Mk I ships will continue to function normally.
The original Aurora may be leaving the Pledge Store, but it will remain part of Star Citizen.
Star Citizen Aurora Mk I Retirement FAQ
When will the Aurora Mk I retire?
The RSI Aurora Mk I will officially retire on September 30, 2026.
Will I lose my Aurora Mk I after retirement?
No. Existing owners will retain their ships and continue to receive gameplay support.
Can I still buy the Aurora Mk I after September 30?
The Aurora Mk I will no longer be available through the regular Pledge Store after its retirement.
What happens to Aurora Mk I Buy Back pledges?
Unretrieved standalone ships, upgrades, and CCUs specifically involving the Aurora Mk I will no longer be retrievable through Buy Back after September 30.
Will the Aurora Mk I be replaced by the Mk II?
The Aurora Mk II is the newer generation, but existing Mk I ships will not be automatically replaced. Owners can continue flying their original ships.
Will the Aurora Mk I return in the future?
CIG has mentioned the possibility of new ways to obtain the original Aurora through gameplay. No specific plans or dates have been confirmed.
