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Understand the two material routes
Hull scraping strips the surface to collect recycled material composite, or RMC. Structural salvage breaks down and processes the remaining hull; current descriptions include salvage material that needs refining into construction materials. These are different loops. An older guide that jumps straight from breaking a hull to selling construction materials may skip a step you now need.
Choose a first job you can finish
Start with a small, permitted target or an appropriate salvage contract, and read its requirements. Check ship capability, travel time, contract cost and the disposal or delivery destination before accepting. Do not treat every ship parked near a station as free salvage: ownership and armistice restrictions matter.
Our recommendation is a crew introduction before purchasing a specialist ship. Ask to watch the pilot, operate a station or help with cargo, then decide which part you enjoy.
Treat cargo handling as part of the run
Understand your ship’s processing buffer and cargo handling before filling it. Keep usable space and a clear route through the hold. Agree who is responsible for packaging, moving material and the return trip. Check the current selling or refining destination before leaving the target.
Set a return point before you start: a certain amount collected, a time limit, or the first sign the session is becoming unreliable. Bringing a smaller load home beats extending a run until everyone is tired.
Small tools have a different job
A multitool with the salvage/repair attachment can collect RMC for repair work. It is not the same earning loop as operating a salvage ship. Learn it because repairing something is useful, rather than expecting filled handheld canisters to fund your next ship.
MSI salvage briefing
- What can this ship actually process?
- Is this target permitted, and what does the contract require?
- Which output are we gathering, and where does it go next?
- Who handles cargo and who calls the return?
- How are costs and proceeds split?
Agree these before launch and the operation becomes much easier to run.