Update 8/25/2016: Added pages on Finding Trade Posts, Sentinels and Wanted Level, in addition to Shielding, Power, and Unstable Plasma Items. Also see my guide to Making Money in No Man's Sky for some tips on the best methods for earning cash, what crafting items are most profitable, and a list of all resources in the game.

No Man's Sky: Buying Ships

Purchase a Better Spaceship for Battle & Cargo Space

Ships in No Man's Sky come in many different designs and configurations.

One thing a lot of people will want to do in No Man's Sky is buy a better ship. Sure, it's possible to upgrade your starter or pre-order ship, but it's only going to reduce the amount of carrying capacity that ship has available. Each ship's upgrades take up one inventory slot, so if you want improved weapons, shields, AND inventory space, you're going to need to buy a better ship.

How to Buy Ships

Where to get a better spaceship in No Man's Sky

Ships are bought from other travelers. Meet them at space stations both in space and on planets with bases. You can wait, and new ships will fly in - you won't get a second chance if you pass one up, so think carefully.

If there's a market where you buy ships, I haven't found it. The way to do it seems to be trading with other ships that visit starbases and planetary stations. While you're visiting a space station of any kind, other ships will land. You can walk up to the front and talk with the pilot.

Aside from being able to buy/sell goods with them (which may differ from the space station's current market prices), you can also make them an offer to purchase their ship!

Better Ship Prices
You can expect a significant upgrade from the starting ship to cost anywhere from 400,000 to 1.2-1.4 million credits. It'll be 600k credits to upgrade beyond the pre-order ship. This is only for the first upgrade from your starter ship, and you can expect it to cost much more later. The cost seems to be based on slots available and any upgrades on that ship.

Shopping for Ships

Waiting around in a starbase, you'll see better ships visit. This may be based upon what you're currently flying (ie, no 20mil ships will come in if you are flying a starter vessel) or may be based upon how close to the center of the galaxy. It may even be the type of star system you're visiting, as some have rarer materials. I'm not sure what factors into the ship types that you can buy, but believe it's the first (based on your progress).

Some of the vessels in no man's sky are ugly but have great inventory and ship upgrades

Some ships are tempting because of their awesome upgrades, but off-putting due to the look. Find a balance that appeals to you.

If you're like me, you're not keen on flying a fat ship that's pink and yellow, so design may be a factor in your decision. Do keep in mind that you will upgrade several times as you proceed toward the center of the universe. I'm trying to remember that I don't see the outside except on planets, and other players can't currently mock me for flying something that looks like a flying pink pepsi can with attached gas mask.

Comparing Ships

Look at the price first, and if it's affordable have a look at what's equipped on it. When you're looking at the ship and it's price, click the compare button to view your current ship and the ship you're considering. Be careful not to click a second time or you'll buy it. You may look out of curiosity, regardless of having enough money.

Compare ships stats and upgrades in no man's sky

The bars (circular) indicate a ship's strength in various areas. You can also mouse over the ship's components to see what they do - many are for weapons, but you may also see deflector shield improvements and beam cooldown upgrades that help with mining asteroids.

There are bars that indicate the ship's strength on the bottom, as well as your own on top. If it has shield upgrades, it'll have a better score (the meter will be higher for that area). Upgraded weapons will indicate better damage from that ship. These are only based upon the modules that ship has installed, so if you replaced a shield module it'd be just like your current ship in terms of defense. You're likely to see upgrades you do not have access to, and may like some of them (especially any weapon upgrades). However you're free to remove and scrap them once you have bought the vessel.

Transferring Items

If you're 100% sure you want to buy the new ship, then transfer items from your cargo hold on the compare screen. Put them in the ship you're buying before you hit the final button. Your ship is valueless in this transaction, so it'll just be gone and anything you left on it will, too (but not things in your exosuit/multitool).

Explore in Your New Vessel

When the transaction's done, you'll own a better ship and be able to continue your explorations with this upgraded vessel. Going from a ship with 16 to one with 24 slots, you could carry up to 4000 extra units of resources to sell, since ship inventories stack to 500. Naturally, this means that with a bigger inventory your money-making potential is vastly improved.

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