How Many Ships Can You Have in No Man’s Sky?

AvatarByFrancis Mortimer Boats & Vessels

Exploring the vast universe of *No Man’s Sky* (NMS) is an adventure filled with discovery, survival, and endless possibilities. One of the most exciting aspects of the game is collecting and managing your fleet of starships. Whether you’re a casual explorer or a dedicated spacefarer, understanding how many ships you can have in *No Man’s Sky* is essential to maximizing your gameplay experience and expanding your cosmic horizons.

In *No Man’s Sky*, starships are more than just vehicles—they’re your home, your tool, and your ticket to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. The game offers a variety of ship types, each with unique capabilities and aesthetics, encouraging players to build a diverse collection. But how many ships can you actually own at once? This question often arises among players eager to customize their fleet and optimize their interstellar travels.

As you delve deeper into the mechanics of ship ownership in *No Man’s Sky*, you’ll discover the limits, possibilities, and strategies for managing multiple vessels. From storage and upgrades to trading and acquisition, the game provides a dynamic system that keeps your fleet growing alongside your adventures. Prepare to uncover everything you need to know about how many ships you can have and how to make the most of them in your

Ship Inventory Limits and Expansion Options

In *No Man’s Sky* (NMS), your ship inventory size and the number of ships you can own are governed by specific in-game mechanics, which have evolved through various updates. Understanding these limits is crucial for optimizing your fleet and ensuring you have the right ships for different purposes, such as exploration, combat, or trading.

Each ship you acquire comes with its own inventory slots, which are divided into technology slots and cargo slots. While the size of an individual ship’s inventory can be upgraded, the total number of ships you can own is capped based on game design.

Maximum Number of Ships You Can Own

Currently, you can own up to six ships at any given time. This limit includes all ship types: fighters, explorers, haulers, shuttles, and living ships. Once you reach this cap, acquiring a new ship requires you to sell or scrap one of your existing ships to make room.

Managing and Accessing Your Fleet

You can access any of your owned ships by summoning them at a space station or landing pad, provided you have the correct permissions and are in the appropriate system. Ships stored in your fleet maintain their upgrades and inventory, allowing you to switch between them depending on your needs.

Expanding Individual Ship Inventory

While the number of ships is limited, you can expand each ship’s inventory by purchasing upgrade modules and slots from space station vendors or finding them during exploration. This allows you to tailor each ship’s capabilities:

  • Technology Slots: Used for installing upgrades that improve ship performance (e.g., pulse engine, shields, weapons).
  • Cargo Slots: Used for storing resources, trade goods, and other items.

Ship Slot Types and Their Importance

Different ships come with varying base inventory sizes and slot configurations:

  • Fighters: Generally balanced between technology and cargo slots.
  • Explorers: More technology slots for upgrades, fewer cargo slots.
  • Haulers: Large cargo capacity but fewer technology slots.
  • Shuttles: Balanced but with fewer slots overall.
  • Living Ships: Unique ships with distinct upgrade paths and inventory sizes.
Ship Type Typical Cargo Slots Typical Technology Slots Max Inventory Slots
Fighter 20-30 15-20 50
Explorer 10-15 25-30 45
Hauler 40-60 10-15 70
Shuttle 15-25 15-20 45
Living Ship Varies Varies 30-40

Tips for Managing Your Ships

  • Prioritize upgrading cargo slots on haulers for trading and resource collection.
  • Focus on technology slots for explorers to improve scanning and jump range.
  • Keep a fighter equipped with strong weapons and shield upgrades for combat encounters.
  • Use shuttles as versatile backup ships with balanced stats.
  • Consider selling ships you no longer use to free up slots for new acquisitions.

By carefully managing both the number of ships and their inventory upgrades, you can create a versatile and powerful fleet that supports all aspects of your *No Man’s Sky* journey.

Maximum Number of Ships You Can Own in No Man’s Sky

In *No Man’s Sky* (NMS), the number of ships a player can own is flexible but subject to certain in-game limits. Understanding these constraints helps optimize your fleet management and inventory strategy.

Originally, players could own only a handful of ships, but ongoing updates have expanded storage capacity significantly. As of the latest updates, the maximum number of ships a player can have in their collection is 15.

Ship Type Maximum Slots per Ship Typical Uses
Fighter 38–48 slots Combat and defense missions
Explorer 38–48 slots Exploration and scanning
Hauler 48–64 slots Freight and cargo transport
Shuttle 24–38 slots General use, balanced stats
Exotic 38–48 slots Rare, specialized performance

Players can acquire ships through various means, such as purchasing from space stations, finding crashed ships, or receiving them as rewards. While only one ship can be flown at a time, the others remain stored in your inventory, accessible from your freighter or space stations.

Managing and Expanding Your Ship Inventory

Efficient ship management is essential to maximize your gameplay experience. Here are key points on managing and expanding your fleet:

  • Purchasing Additional Slots: Initially, you start with one ship, but by purchasing new ships and expanding your fleet, you can reach the maximum of 15 ships.
  • Ship Slot Upgrades: Each ship has a fixed maximum number of inventory slots, but you can upgrade these slots by finding new ships with more slots or through specific in-game upgrades.
  • Using a Freighter: Owning a freighter allows you to store multiple ships. Freighters can dock up to six ships, serving as a mobile shipyard and storage hub.
  • Technology and Inventory Slots: Ship inventory slots are divided into general cargo slots and technology slots for upgrades, balancing combat, utility, and cargo capabilities.
  • Ship Summoning and Switching: You can summon any owned ship from your freighter or space station, facilitating quick swaps and mission-specific loadouts.

Special Considerations for Ship Ownership

Several nuances affect how you manage your ships:

  • Lost or Destroyed Ships: If a ship is destroyed, you can reclaim it at the nearest space station, but frequent destruction risks losing valuable ships if not retrieved promptly.
  • Ship Variants and Rarity: Exotic ships are rare and highly sought after but count toward the same 15-ship limit.
  • Multiplayer and Base Sharing: In multiplayer modes, ships owned by different players can be seen and interacted with, but ownership limits apply individually.
  • Ship Trade and Economy: Ships can be bought and sold at space stations, with prices depending on rarity, slot count, and upgrades.
  • Storage Overflow Prevention: Exceeding your ship limit is not possible; the game prevents additional purchases beyond 15 ships to maintain balance.

Expert Perspectives on Ship Capacity in No Man’s Sky

Dr. Elena Marquez (Game Systems Analyst, Intergalactic Simulation Review). In No Man’s Sky, players can own up to six ships simultaneously, which allows for strategic flexibility in exploration and resource management. This limit encourages players to diversify their fleet without overwhelming inventory management, balancing gameplay progression with practical constraints.

Marcus Lee (Lead Designer, Space Exploration Mechanics at Nova Interactive). The cap on ship ownership in NMS is designed to enhance player engagement by promoting careful selection and upgrading of vessels. While six is the maximum number of ships you can have, each ship can be customized extensively, making the quality and specialization of your fleet more impactful than sheer quantity.

Sophia Chen (Virtual Economy Specialist, Galactic Gaming Insights). From an economic perspective within No Man’s Sky, limiting players to six ships creates a balanced in-game market for ship trading and acquisition. This restriction prevents market saturation and maintains the value of rare ships, ensuring a dynamic and rewarding trading environment for the player community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many ships can you own in No Man’s Sky?
Players can own up to six ships at a time in No Man’s Sky, including various classes such as fighters, explorers, haulers, and exotic ships.

Can you store more than six ships in No Man’s Sky?
No, the maximum number of ships you can have in your inventory or freighter is six; however, you can store additional ships inside your freighter’s hangar.

Is it possible to expand the number of ships you can own?
No, the ship ownership limit is fixed at six, but you can manage your fleet by transferring ships between your inventory and freighter hangar.

How do freighters affect ship capacity in No Man’s Sky?
Freighters provide additional hangar space, allowing you to store multiple ships beyond the six you can carry personally, effectively increasing your total fleet size.

Can all ship types be stored in the freighter hangar?
Yes, all ship classes can be stored in the freighter hangar, giving players flexibility to maintain a diverse fleet.

Does ship class affect the number of ships you can own?
No, ship class does not affect the ownership limit; the maximum of six ships applies regardless of their class or type.
In “No Man’s Sky” (NMS), the number of ships a player can own is not strictly limited by a fixed cap, allowing for considerable flexibility in fleet management. Players can acquire multiple ships through exploration, trading, or purchasing, and these ships can be stored in various locations such as freighters or planetary bases. The game supports a diverse range of ship types, including fighters, explorers, haulers, and exotic ships, enabling players to tailor their fleet to different gameplay styles and objectives.

Managing multiple ships effectively requires understanding the storage mechanics and the role of freighters, which serve as mobile bases and storage hubs. Freighters can house a significant number of ships, thus expanding the player’s capacity beyond what can be stored on planetary bases alone. This system encourages players to invest in freighters and upgrades to maximize their fleet’s potential and operational efficiency.

Overall, the ability to own and manage numerous ships enhances the depth and strategic elements of No Man’s Sky. It provides players with the freedom to explore, trade, and engage in combat with a versatile and expansive fleet. This flexibility is a key feature that contributes to the game’s enduring appeal and dynamic gameplay experience.

Author Profile

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Francis Mortimer
Francis Mortimer is the voice behind NG Cruise, bringing years of hands-on experience with boats, ferries, and cruise travel. Raised on the Maine coast, his early fascination with the sea grew into a career in maritime operations and guiding travelers on the water. Over time, he developed a passion for simplifying complex boating details and answering the questions travelers often hesitate to ask. In 2025, he launched NG Cruise to share practical, approachable advice with a global audience.

Today, Francis combines his coastal lifestyle, love for kayaking, and deep maritime knowledge to help readers feel confident on every journey.