What is the cheapest Star Citizen Starter Pack in 2026?

The Citizen Starter Pack at $60 USD is the cheapest current Starter Pack on the RSI store. It includes the RSI Aurora Mk II, 10,000 UEC, and full game access. The older Mustang Alpha Starter Pack at $45 is retired.

Ship guide · 2026

Consolidated Outland Mustang Alpha: the sleeker alternative to the Aurora

Q: What is the Consolidated Outland Mustang Alpha?

The Mustang Alpha is a sleek single-seat light multi-role spacecraft from the in-fiction manufacturer Consolidated Outland. It uses ultralight alloys to push power ratios high, making it faster and more nimble than the comparable Aurora line at the cost of versatility. The Alpha has a 4 SCU rear cargo bay, a remote nose turret with two Size 2 guns, and two Size 1 wing-mount guns.

Q: Is the Mustang Alpha still sold as a Starter Pack?

Not as the entry-level Starter Pack at $45 that older guides mention. That older Mustang Alpha Starter Pack was retired in favor of the Citizen Starter Pack at $60 with the RSI Aurora Mk II. The Mustang Alpha ship still exists on the RSI Pledge Store, and combo bundles or CCU paths still let you obtain it, but it is no longer the default cheapest entry to Star Citizen.

Q: How much cargo does the Mustang Alpha carry?

The Mustang Alpha carries 4 SCU in its rear-accessible drop-down cargo bay, plus an additional 900K microSCU of internal storage accessed through interaction with the front ladder.

Q: Is the Mustang Alpha better than the Aurora Mk II?

The Mustang Alpha is sleeker and more nimble than the Aurora, with sharper handling. The Aurora Mk II carries less base cargo (2 SCU vs Mustang Alpha's 4 SCU) but has the modular system that adds the TS Cargo Module for 8 SCU total. The Aurora Mk II has four Size 2 guns vs the Mustang Alpha's twin Size 2 nose turret plus two Size 1 wing guns. In 2026 the Aurora Mk II is the current default in the Citizen Starter Pack, so it has stronger ecosystem support.

Q: What weapons does the Mustang Alpha have?

The Mustang Alpha has a pilot-controlled remote nose turret with two Size 2 guns, plus two Size 1 gun hardpoints under the wings for a total of four guns. No missile racks in the base configuration. The Mustang Alpha Vindicator variant adds missiles for combat-focused play.

The Mustang Alpha is a long-running rival to the Aurora line. Sleeker, faster, more nimble, less versatile. For years it was the cheapest entry-level Starter Pack at $45. That pack has since been retired in favor of the Citizen Starter Pack, but the Mustang Alpha ship itself is still on the Pledge Store. Here's the full picture in 2026.

By Domux · Updated 19 May 2026

The $45 Mustang Alpha Starter Pack is retired

If you found this page because you read about a $45 Mustang Alpha Starter Pack, that pack is no longer the cheapest entry to Star Citizen. RSI restructured the Starter Pack lineup, and the cheapest current option is the Citizen Starter Pack at $60 with the RSI Aurora Mk II. The Mustang Alpha ship itself is still on the Pledge Store as a standalone purchase, occasionally bundled in combo packages, or available via CCU.

What the Mustang Alpha actually is

The Consolidated Outland Mustang Alpha is a sleek single-seat light multi-role spacecraft. In-fiction it's the entry to the Mustang line from Consolidated Outland, whose CEO Silas Koerner pushes ultralight alloys and high power ratios at the edge of safety margins. In practice it's a sharper-handling but less versatile alternative to the Aurora Mk II, with a rear-accessible cargo bay and a pilot-controlled nose turret.

Standalone price

~$40-45

USD on RSI Pledge Store as a standalone ship (price varies with sale windows).

Crew

Single seat, no bunk in the base Alpha (Beta variant has one).

Cargo

4 SCU

Rear drop-down cargo bay. Plus 900K μSCU internal stowage via the front ladder.

Nose turret

2 × S2

Pilot-controlled remote nose turret with two Size 2 guns.

Wing guns

2 × S1

Two Size 1 gun hardpoints under the wings.

Missiles

None (base)

The Vindicator variant adds missile racks; the base Alpha does not.

Handling

Light + nimble

Sleeker and faster than the Aurora line.

Variants

Alpha (base), Beta (luxury), Gamma (racing), Delta (combat), Omega (recall-only).

Design and feel

The Mustang Alpha is visibly sleeker than the Aurora. Lower profile, sharper nose, smaller silhouette. It handles like a light fighter even though it's classified as multi-role: tight turn rate, responsive thrusters, very twitchy on inputs. The trade-off is a lower hull integrity and shield budget than the Aurora.

In flight, you sit forward and low, with a narrow forward arc and limited side visibility. The remote nose turret is the differentiator: two Size 2 guns that the pilot aims through a turret reticle (rather than fixed forward), giving the Alpha better target tracking than fixed-gun ships of similar tier.

Mustang Alpha vs Aurora Mk II vs Avenger Titan

The three classic starter ships, side by side. Each has clear strengths.

	Mustang Alpha	Aurora Mk II	Avenger Titan
Standalone price	~$40-45	~$48	~$60
Starter Pack (if available)	Retired	$60 (Citizen)	$70 (Avenger Titan SP)
Cargo (base)	4 SCU	2 SCU (8 SCU with module)	8 SCU
Primary guns	2 × S2 turret + 2 × S1 wing	4 × S2 fixed	1 × S4 nose + 2 × S3 wing
Missiles	None (base)	8 × S1 (+8 with module)	4 × S2
Bed	No (Beta has it)	Yes	Yes
Ground vehicle ramp	No	No	Yes
Handling	Sleek, nimble, twitchy	Balanced	Heavier, stable
Modular system	No	Yes (TS Cargo, DM Combat)	No
Net: Mustang Alpha is the sleeker, more agile choice. Aurora Mk II is the modular jack-of-all-trades. Avenger Titan is the heavy hitter with cargo capacity.

Who the Mustang Alpha is for

Good fit if

You like sleeker, faster ships and don't mind a twitchier flight model
You want a pilot-controlled turret with tracking (rather than fixed guns)
You already own a Game Package and want to add the Mustang as a CCU or standalone for a specific role
You're a long-time player who wants the Mustang Alpha back in your fleet

Look elsewhere if

You're a brand new player choosing your first Game Package (get the Citizen Starter Pack with Aurora Mk II instead)
You want modular flexibility (Aurora Mk II's modules win)
You want serious combat firepower (Avenger Titan has the Size 4 nose gun)
You need a bed for bed-logging your character in-ship (Alpha base has no bed; the Beta variant adds one)

Mustang variants explained

The Mustang line has five variants. Most new players just want to know which one is the "base" Mustang Alpha.

Mustang Alpha, the base entry-level multi-role. The subject of this page.
Mustang Beta, luxury / explorer variant with a bunk for sleeping, longer-range fuel.
Mustang Gamma, racing variant, lighter, faster, no cargo.
Mustang Delta, combat-focused with more weapons and missile racks.
Mustang Omega, recall / promotional variant, not generally sold.

And the Mustang Alpha Vindicator is a sub-variant of the Alpha that adds missile racks for combat play, sold separately during specific event windows.

My honest recommendation

For brand new players in 2026: skip the Mustang Alpha, get the Citizen Starter Pack instead

The Mustang Alpha is a long-time favourite for some players, but in 2026 the smart entry point for a new RSI account is the Citizen Starter Pack at $60 with the Aurora Mk II. Reasons: it's the current default with strongest ecosystem support, the Aurora Mk II is the modular ship that scales with you, and Citizen Starter Pack documentation and community guides are everywhere.

If you really want a Mustang in your hangar, get the Citizen Starter Pack first (game access + Aurora + 50,000 UEC bonus with the code), then add a Mustang Alpha standalone or CCU after. That way you start with a current default plus optional extras, not an older retired-pack ship as your only option.

What to spend the 50,000 UEC referral bonus on if you do fly a Mustang

Same as the Aurora and Avenger guides: spend on character gear first, ship components second. The Mustang Alpha's hull is lighter than the Aurora's, so a shield upgrade is more impactful here than on heavier ships.

Medium armour set, ~16,000 to 22,000 UEC.
Primary weapon + magazines, ~7,000 to 12,000 UEC.
Sidearm + multi-tool + medical pens + food, ~5,000 UEC.
Better shield generator, ~8,000 to 12,000 UEC. The Mustang's lighter hull benefits a lot.

Whatever ship you end up flying, the referral bonus stacks the same. Code first, package second.

STAR-JTV7-FXLR Create account with code

FAQ

What is the Consolidated Outland Mustang Alpha?

A sleek single-seat light multi-role spacecraft from Consolidated Outland. 4 SCU rear cargo, pilot-controlled remote nose turret with 2 Size 2 guns, 2 Size 1 wing guns. Faster and more nimble than the Aurora line but less versatile.

Is the Mustang Alpha still sold as a Starter Pack?

Not as the entry-level $45 Starter Pack that older guides mention. That pack was retired in favor of the Citizen Starter Pack at $60 with the Aurora Mk II. The Mustang Alpha ship is still on the Pledge Store as a standalone or combo bundle.

What is the cheapest Starter Pack in 2026?

Citizen Starter Pack at $60 USD with the RSI Aurora Mk II, 10,000 UEC, and full game access.

How much cargo does the Mustang Alpha carry?

4 SCU in the rear cargo bay plus 900K μSCU internal stowage via the front ladder.

Is the Mustang Alpha better than the Aurora Mk II?

Sleeker and more nimble, with sharper handling. The Aurora Mk II has modular flexibility (TS Cargo and DM Combat modules) and stronger ecosystem support in 2026 as the Citizen Starter Pack ship.

What weapons does the Mustang Alpha have?

Pilot-controlled remote nose turret with two Size 2 guns, plus two Size 1 wing guns. Four guns total. No missiles in the base configuration; the Vindicator variant adds missile racks.

Which Mustang variant should I pick?

Alpha is the base multi-role. Beta adds a bunk and longer range. Gamma is the racing variant. Delta is combat-focused. Omega is promotional / recall-only. For most players the Alpha is the right entry point.