Yes, you can change your starship's color, and it costs units or nanites depending on the method

Your starship's exterior color is not permanent in No Man's Sky. You have two main ways to repaint it: visiting a Space Station or Freighter customization terminal, or using Appearance Modifiers that you craft or find. The Space Station method costs Nanites (the currency you earn from scanning and refining materials), while some Appearance Modifiers cost Units (your main currency) or materials you already have.

The easiest route for most players is the Space Station terminal, because it is always available and the cost is predictable. If you want more control over exactly which shade or pattern you get, Appearance Modifiers give you that choice, but you need to either craft them or hunt for them in the game world.

Key Takeaways

  • Space Station customization terminals let you repaint your ship for Nanites, and the color options change each time you visit a different station.
  • Appearance Modifiers are craftable or findable items that let you change your ship's color, pattern, and trim without visiting a terminal.
  • You can change your ship's color as many times as you want with no penalty beyond the cost.
  • Your ship's performance and stats do not change when you repaint it—color is purely cosmetic.
  • If you do not like the color options at one station, traveling to another station will show you different colors to choose from.

Using the Space Station customization terminal

Every Space Station has a Customization Terminal (also called a Appearance Modifier terminal) located near the landing pad or in the main hub area. Walk up to it and interact with it. The terminal will show you a list of color options for your current ship class—the colors available change based on which station you are at, so if you do not see a color you like, you can travel to another station and try again.

Each color change costs Nanites. The exact amount varies by ship class and rarity, but expect to pay between 50 and 500 Nanites per color change. You earn Nanites by scanning flora and fauna with your scanner, by refining certain materials at a refiner, or by selling items to NPCs. If you are low on Nanites, scanning is the fastest way to build them up quickly.

The Space Station terminal also lets you change your ship's trim color (the accent details) and sometimes the pattern or decals separately, so you can mix and match. Each change is a separate Nanite cost.

Crafting and using Appearance Modifiers

Appearance Modifiers are items you can craft at a Refiner or find in the game world. When you use one, it randomly changes one aspect of your ship's appearance—usually the primary color, but sometimes the trim, pattern, or engine glow. You do not get to choose the exact color; the Modifier picks one at random from the available pool for your ship type.

To craft an Appearance Modifier, you need materials like Chromatic Metal, Ionised Cobalt, or Runaway Mold. The recipe appears in your Refiner once you have learned it (usually from scanning or looting). The advantage of Modifiers is that they cost Units or materials instead of Nanites, and some players find it fun to use them repeatedly until they land on a color they love.

You can also find Appearance Modifiers as loot in cargo containers, on the ground in certain locations, or as rewards from some NPC interactions. If you find one, you can use it when ready without crafting.

Where to find different color options

If you visit a Space Station and the color options do not appeal to you, straightforward travel to a different Space Station—each one stocks different colors. You can visit multiple stations in the same system or jump to another system entirely. The colors reset each time you visit a new station, so you have many chances to find something you like.

Freighters also have customization terminals, and they show different color options than Space Stations. If you own a Freighter, you can use its terminal as another source of colors. Some players visit both Space Stations and Freighters in the same system to see a wider range before deciding.

What you cannot change about your ship's appearance

Your ship's shape and hull design are locked to its class and type—you cannot turn a Fighter into an Explorer by repainting it. You also cannot change the ship's size or overall silhouette. What you can change is the color of the hull, the trim accents, decals or patterns, and sometimes the engine glow or other small details.

If you want a completely different-looking ship, you need to buy or find a different ship. Repainting only affects the cosmetic colors and patterns on the ship you already own.

Repainting does not affect your ship's stats or performance

Changing your ship's color has no impact on its damage, shield strength, hyperdrive range, inventory slots, or any other stat. It is purely cosmetic. You can repaint your ship as many times as you want without worrying that you are making it weaker or stronger.

This means you can experiment freely. If you repaint your ship and decide you do not like the new color, you can change it again when ready. The only cost is the Nanites or materials you spend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my ship's upgrades or inventory when I repaint it?

No. Repainting your ship does not touch your inventory, installed upgrades, or any modules. Everything stays exactly as it was. You are only changing the color of the exterior.

Can I change the color of a ship I just bought?

Yes. You can repaint a ship the moment you own it. There is no waiting period or restriction based on how long you have had the ship.

What if I use an Appearance Modifier and hate the result?

You can use another Appearance Modifier or visit a Space Station terminal to change it again. There is no limit to how many times you can repaint, so you can keep trying until you find a color you like.

Are some ship colors rarer than others?

Yes. Some colors appear more often than others across different stations, and certain ship classes have access to different color pools. If you are hunting for a specific rare color, visiting many stations increases your chances of finding it.

Can I change my freighter's color the same way?

Yes. Freighters have their own customization terminals on board, and the process is identical—you pay Nanites to change the color. Freighter colors are separate from ship colors, so you can customize both independently.