The RSI Orion is a massive, capital-class mining vessel in Star Citizen designed for deep-space asteroid mining, featuring large-scale ore processing, interactive refining, and drone-assisted operations, requiring a multi-member crew and fleet support for extended missions. While not expected to release soon due to its game economy impact, it aims to serve as a bulk resource harvester complementing smaller mining ships, emphasizing in-game earning over real-money purchases.
In this video, Lounge Guns presents an in-depth concept review of the RSI Orion, a massive capital-class mining vessel in Star Citizen that represents the ultimate dream ship for industrial players. The Orion is designed to operate in deep space asteroid fields, turning raw resources into valuable materials, and is one of two mining ships from Robert Space Industries currently in the concept phase. Lounge Guns emphasizes that the ship is not expected to release anytime soon due to its potential impact on the game economy and stresses that players do not need to spend real money to enjoy Star Citizen, as all ships and equipment can be earned in-game.
The Orion dwarfs other ships in size, measuring 341 meters long, and requires a crew likely between four and seven members to operate effectively. Its core mining capabilities include a large mining laser and multiple tractor beams designed to drag in and slice up asteroids, with the ship itself having low mobility and relying on moving minables to it. The ship features a unique funnel-like design that transports mined materials through the vessel to external rotating storage pods, which also house an onboard refinery for processing ore.
Cargo capacity details are somewhat speculative, but early information suggests the Orion could hold over 13,000 SCU of ore, with some estimates indicating it might exceed 20,000 SCU given its size. The rotating ore storage pods may have functional purposes beyond aesthetics, potentially stabilizing volatile materials like quantanium, though this remains uncertain. Refining aboard the Orion is expected to be more interactive than current station-based methods, allowing players to engage in manual processing techniques such as grinding and melting, with material sorting capabilities to optimize refining efficiency.
The ship is also anticipated to incorporate drone technology for mining operations, controlled from bridge stations to assist in cutting and transporting smaller ore pieces. Lounge Guns imagines the Orion as a vessel capable of extended deep-space mining runs, possibly supported by other ships for offloading cargo, enabling continuous operation without returning to port. However, questions remain about ship permissioning and crew management for long-duration missions, as well as the ship’s vulnerability to piracy given its limited defensive armament despite strong shields.
Ultimately, the RSI Orion is envisioned as a bulk resource harvester, gathering vast quantities of base metals essential for building and crafting in the game’s endgame industrial landscape. Smaller mining ships like the Prospector and Mole will likely focus on rare and high-quality ores, while the Orion handles large-scale extraction. Lounge Guns advises prospective operators to consider not only the crew needed to run the Orion but also the larger fleet support required for protection and logistics, making it a centerpiece of future industrial gameplay in Star Citizen.