The Intergalactic Aerospace Expo (IAE) is almost here, and to help you get the most from the annual ship show, we've answered some common questions surrounding the event. Read on for everything you need to know about the show, including where to go and how to participate in the upcoming Free Fly event. What is the IAE? The Intergalactic Aerospace Exposition (IAE) is the universe's premier spaceship convention. It provides everyone with the opportunity to see some of Star Citizen's biggest, best, and most iconic ships and ground vehicles up close as different manufacturers take over the halls each day. Plus, almost everything on display is available to test-fly for free! When is the IAE taking place? IAE takes place from Friday, November 17, through November 30. Each day, a different ship manufacturer takes over the halls of the convention center for 48 hours each. What time does the event start? The IAE opens its gates on November 17 at 16:00 UTC / 8 a.m. Pacific. When does the Free Fly start? The Free Fly starts with the IAE on November 17 at 16:00 UTC / 8 a.m. Pacific. I don't have a Star Citizen game package or in-game spacecraft. How do I travel to microTech for the event? For the duration of IAE, every account has access to a Drake Cutter ship. After getting started, head to the nearest ASOP ship retrieval terminal to access it. Where does the IAE take place? Where do I have to go? IAE 2953 takes place at the Tobin Expo Center in the city of New Babbage, on the planet microTech. How do I get to the Tobin Expo Center? First, head to the planet microTech. If this is your first visit to the Stanton system, you can choose to spawn at the New Babbage Aspire Grand by selecting it as your primary residence. If you're already a citizen, travel to microTech, Quantum Travel to New Babbage, and then land at the Interstellar Spaceport. From there, take the Metro transit system and get off at the Tobin Expo Center. No matter where you board the train, you'll eventually arrive at the correct stop. How do I rent a ship? The IAE displays ships from different manufacturers throughout the event. If you see something you'd like to test-fly, walk up to it and press and hold the F key to open the Inner Thought menu. The ship will become highlighted, then left-click on the word RENT. Your mobiGlas will open. Then, confirm the rental by clicking RENT in the lower-right corner. You can then head to the Space Port or any other ASOP terminal throughout the 'verse. How long can ships be rented? You can rent ships and vehicles as long as they are on display at the IAE. All manufacturers exhibit their crafts for 48 hours. Check the IAE 2953 schedule to see which ships can be viewed and rented on which days. How many vehicles can be rented? You can rent every flyable or drivable vehicle exhibited at the IAE. Each ship or vehicle can be rented once. Which ships will be free to rent during the different manufacturer days? Check the IAE 2953 schedule to see which ships can be viewed and rented on which days. Do I need to have a copy of Star Citizen to visit IAE? No. For the duration of the event, anyone can play Star Citizen for free. All you need to do is visit the Play Now page and follow the instructions. Can I invite a friend? Of course! All they need to do is visit the Play Now page, create an account, and jump into the game. Don't forget that using your referral code during account creation grants them an additional 5,000 UEC. And, if they decide to stay after the Free Fly, you'll earn a referral point. Will there be Spectrum badges to collect this year? There won't be any Spectrum badges to collect for this IAE. Which ships get the Best in Show paints? All four ships that made it into the semi-finals of the recent Ship Showdown 2953 event (Drake Corsair, Drake Vulture, Aegis Redeemer, Origin 600i Explorer) will receive the limited-edition Best in Show liveries as well as their in-game manufacturer poster. These are available to all players with these ships in their web hangar. If you already have one of these ships, you'll receive the IAE-exclusive paint (and extra items) on the last day of the event at no cost. To be eligible to receive the paints, the ships need to be in your hangar (having them in your Buyback List won't grant you the Best in Show paints). Everyone pledging for a Best in Show ship during the IAE will receive the paint and items, too. If you don't already own the ship, the vehicles will be bundled with the prizes during the Best in Show days following the 26th of November. Please note that these Best in Show editions would only contain the goodies within that ship's package and would not grant an additional copy of the rewards. The Best in Show ships will also be available to fly for free between November 26 and November 30. Update: The 600i Touring and Executive Edition will also receive the Best in Show 2953 paints. There will be two distribution instances for the Best in Show prizes: one on the Best in Show day (November 26) and another at the end of IAE. Update 2: Due to the Thanksgiving weekend, the first round of BiS prizes distribution will start on Monday, November 27, 2023, instead of the originally planned Sunday, November 26, 2023. Will there be Warbond CCUs available? Yes. Check back each day throughout the expo to see what's available. Each Warbond CCU Daily Deal will run for 24 hours only. However, this year’s Finale (November 26, 16:00 UTC - November 30, 20:00 UTC) will include a refresh with new Warbond CCUs that will feature only at this time for select manufacturers, replacing the prior daily deal ones. Will there be quantity stock-limited ships? Yes! Each stock-limited ship is limited to one per account and will be available in Warbond and/or Store Credit released in three waves to cover as many global time zones as possible: Wave 1 – 16:00 UTC / 8 a.m. Pacific Wave 2 – 00:00 UTC / 4 p.m. Pacific (the prior day) Wave 3 – 08:00 UTC / 12 a.m. Pacific IAE Day 2 – November 18: Aegis Idris P, Aegis Javelin IAE Day 4 – November 20: Origin 890 Jump IAE Day 5 – November 21: Drake Kraken, Drake Kraken Privateer IAE Day 6 – November 22: Consolidated Outland Pioneer IAE Day 8 – November 24: MISC Hull E IAE Day 9 – November 25: RSI Constellation Phoenix Do you have additional questions? Ask them, and we will do our best to answer them. We recommend all newcomers to the 'verse to check out the New Player Guide as it guides you through your first steps into the Persistent Universe.