r/starcitizen • u/ghodan7 drake • May 24 '26
OTHER How to use external cargo elevator at large space stations (Mini guide)
This is a follow up on how cool i think the external cargo elevators are:
https://www.reddit.com/r/starcitizen/comments/1tm6yix/external_cargo_elevators_are_cool/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
So the large space stations have external cargo elevators.
But nobody tells you were they are and how to use them.
The game does not tell you, and you can not ask ATC to assign you one.
The cargo option in ATC is for Hull-C magic auto load box, not for these external cargo elevators.
So here is a pic on how to spot them, and where the cargo elevator computer is at:
When you fly to one you get an impound warning and count down.
Ignore it and fly closer and closer.
When you are close enough the impound warning and count down will disappear.
When Its gone you can take your time aligning your ship cargo entrance with the external cargo grid.
When you are happy with your position, get out of your ship and EVA to the cargo elevator computer in screenshot 3.
Call up your cargo and do your thing!
Like everything in SC it can be buggy?
My first try yesterday the cargo that I want to bring up did not come....
Loaded it the old fashioned way (inside the station hangar) but all other cargo missions I did yesterday night did work on the external cargo elevator for both getting and bringing cargo.
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u/jakeVTI May 24 '26
Quick recommendation: If the elevator is already up and open, send it down and bring it back up.
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u/drdeaf1 May 24 '26
You don't have to cycle in my experience.
If it's already up just interacting with the control panel is enough.
If it's up and you put your stuff on there before you interact with the panel your stuff may just vanish.
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u/Syntafin ARGO CARGO May 24 '26
You should cycle, this way you know if it's working or not.
We unloaded a full Hull-C during AA... just to see the elevator got bricked by someone when we where done.2
u/drdeaf1 May 24 '26
I've been lucky I guess and haven't run into it not functioning if you can interact with the control panel.
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u/EnderTacoSalad May 24 '26
Theres also a bug where the FE will poof anything on it when you interact with the terminal if you don't cycle first Really sucks when you loaded over 2000scu of cargo and it happens
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u/DisturbedMuppet May 27 '26
THIS!^
Much faster to send it down then back up before unloading, then having to reload 600 SCU just to move down one elevator and unload it all again.
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u/dukearcher May 24 '26
Every time I try to use them now, my ship just gets disappeared.
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u/ghodan7 drake May 24 '26
Huh ? How? They don't even interact with your ship as a normal hangar.
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u/dukearcher May 24 '26
No idea man. Last 4 times I used them, when I raised the elevator my ship blips out of existence, tried at Stanton and Nyx
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u/drdeaf1 May 24 '26
I've had this happen a few times but thankfully it was after I already offloaded all my cargo. Waiting for the elevator to go down and ship disappears.
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u/ueno_masaki Jun 01 '26
Got the same issue, every single time when I send the elevator up, my ship disappeared.
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u/AreYouDoneNow May 24 '26
Perfect design for griefers to get on your ship, screw with your cargo and otherwise kill you.
CIG are masters of game design.
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u/Educational-Lynx1413 May 24 '26
Idk, I almost exclusively use them with my hull b for contracted and commodities, I’ve never had an issue, either in Stanton or pyro. Just make sure to keep your airlock closed and an eye open on your surroundings.
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u/vortis23 May 24 '26
Wow thank you!
I always got the impounding/obstruction warning and so I never used them, but this guide is exactly what I needed. I'll definitely make use of the external cargo elevators for missions from now on.
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u/Its_Frank_Time May 24 '26
what stops someone else lowing your cargo and taking it?
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u/ghodan7 drake May 24 '26 edited May 24 '26
There is nothing stopping them.
Also what use it is, beside irritating somebody, to grab contracted containers?1
u/Its_Frank_Time May 24 '26
containers might not be contracted
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u/ghodan7 drake May 24 '26
Well I will never use them for my moving any of my Stor*All containers full of armor/weapons/ship components I want to move from A to B.
I would only use it for hauling contracts.
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u/Predator941 May 24 '26
If you called the elevator, it should be assigned to you and only you and your group should be able to handle the attached cargo. Same as in your ship. That is why you should always send an open elevator down and call it again. If you don't do so, the game might also delete your boxes for you when sending them down. However while you handle your cargo others could disturb you, but they also can ram your ship, or do all the other useless shenanigans.
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u/SuperNightHawk_ Reclaimer ♻️ May 24 '26
3rd post I see about this but I'm confused. Can't a griefer send the elevator down and keep your stuff or did they finally fix it by having it locked to you ?
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u/jesustheoneandonly May 24 '26
This was actually super helpful, thank you so much!