Star Citizen 4.1 Align and Mine Event Guide

With the release of Star Citizen 4.1, players will be introduced to the Align and Mine Event, an exciting new challenge taking place in the Stanton system. This event provides a unique opportunity to mine resources, engage in intense PvP, and unlock exclusive rewards, including armor, weapons, and even ships like the Polaris.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from starting the Star Citizen 4.1 Align and Mine event to surviving enemy encounters and mining efficiently. But before you go out into the unknown, you might need a ton of Star Citizen aUEC. Best place to get it quick, cheap, and secure? Well, MMOPixel is here for you. Do a sneak peek at our massive Star Citizen aUEC inventory alongside Ships, Vehicles, and Upgrades. 

What is the Align and Mine Event in Star Citizen?

The Align and Mine Event is a high-stakes mining operation in Star Citizen 4.1, where players work together to activate an Orbital Mining Laser that unlocks access to valuable underground resources.

However, this is no simple mining task—it requires strategic planning, teamwork, and combat readiness.

To successfully complete the event, players must:

• Align Three Satellite Dishes: Locate and adjust satellite relays to establish a connection.

• Gather Keycards: Search the area for keycards needed to gain access to restricted sections.

• Secure Battery Packs: Power up essential mining equipment to bring the laser online.

• Defend Against Hostiles: Expect resistance from both NPC security forces and real players looking to claim the rewards for themselves.

With the laser activated, the underground resources become accessible, allowing miners to extract high-value materials.

The challenge lies in balancing mining efficiency with combat survival, as rival players may attempt to ambush and steal your hard-earned resources.

Align and Mine Event Locations

The Align and Mine Event occurs on two hostile moons, each with extreme environmental hazards that can threaten unprepared players:

• Daymar: A rocky, desert-like moon with an unbreathable nitrogen-methane atmosphere. Temperatures fluctuate between -40°C and 78°C, making it essential to have a suitable spacesuit and oxygen supply.

• Aberdeen: A deadly sulfur-based environment with extreme heat levels ranging from 170°C to 237°C. Only heat-resistant suits can withstand the scorching temperatures long enough to complete the Align and Mine mission on Aberdeen.

Rewards from the Align and Mine Event

Why would you be participating in the Align and Mine Event in Star Citizen 4.1, and what makes it so special? After you are done mining, you get special commodities, or a type of currency that you can sell at Wikelo's to get special armor and other stuff, including Polaris. It's unique, so more like a take it or miss it opportunity. 

Step 1: Preparing for the Align and Mine Event

Before jumping into the Align and Mine Event, preparation is key.

You’ll be facing hostile environments, enemy players, and security NPCs, so having the right gear, weapons, and ship can mean the difference between success and failure.

Best Armor & Gear for Align and Mine

Your choice of armor will depend on which moon you’re heading to:

• Aberdeen: The extreme heat makes a Pembroke Exploration Suit essential for survival. You can purchase this suit at GrimHex or Lorville, and it provides the heat resistance necessary to operate in temperatures exceeding 200°C. Without it, you’ll overheat in minutes.

• Daymar: A standard spacesuit will suffice since the temperatures are more moderate. However, it’s still wise to carry extra oxygen reserves, as running out in the middle of the event can leave you stranded.

Best Weapons & Ammo for Align and Mine

Combat is inevitable, so come armed and ready for battle.

• Primary & Secondary Firearms: Bring your preferred weapons, whether it’s an FS-9 LMG for suppressive fire or an Arclight pistol for close encounters.

• Ammunition: Pack at least a dozen magazines to avoid running dry in the middle of a fight. More is always better.

• MaxLift Tractor Beam: Essential for moving battery packs efficiently without having to carry them manually. Keep extra Power Cells on hand.

• MedGun & MedPens: Injuries are bound to happen, so always carry a MedGun with refills and plenty of MedPens for quick healing during combat.

Best Ships for Align and Mine

Your ship choice determines how effectively you can extract resources, engage enemies, and reposition during combat.

• Solo Players: The Avenger Titan is a solid choice due to its balance of cargo space, agility, and firepower.

• Small Teams: The Cutlass Black is an excellent all-rounder, providing a decent cargo hold and good weapons for dogfighting.

• Multi-Crew Operations: Larger ships like the Valkyrie or Carrack allow for team coordination, providing onboard medical bays and additional firepower for defending the mining laser.

All this applies to each member of the team. 

Step 2: Activating the Alignment Satellite Dishes

Now that you’ve arrived at the Star Citizen 4.1 Align and Mine event site, your main objective is to activate the three alignment dishes scattered around the Orbital Mining Laser.

This step requires finding keycards, accessing terminals, and retrieving crucial battery packs—all while dealing with enemies and environmental hazards.

Locate the Three Satellite Dish Terminals

• The alignment dishes are positioned around the Orbital Mining Laser.

• Some terminals may already be activated—focus on the inactive ones to progress.

• Expect security NPCs and enemy players to guard these areas, so proceed with caution.

Find the Keycards Location

To access the dish terminals, you’ll need to locate two keycards hidden around the area:

• Blue Security Keycard: Used to unlock security doors that may block terminal access.

• Red Admin Keycard: Grants entry to dish activation terminals and allows system overrides.

There are three of each hidden in the area. 

Spawn Locations:

Each keycard has three potential spawn locations within the compound, usually found in:

• Dead NPCs or guards near security checkpoints.

• Lockers and storage containers inside buildings.

• Control rooms close to the alignment dishes.

Activating the Terminals

Once inside the alignment dish control building, follow these steps:

1. Locate three admin rooms—each houses a terminal that needs activation.

2. Insert Comp Board Cards into the terminal one at a time.

3. Wait for the system to register the activation while staying on high alert.

There are three satellites Dishes you need to activate, and each has the same steps you need to follow. Keep in mind that sometimes the Dishes are already open, and you don't need anything to activate them, they are already activated.

Every Comp Board Card insertion triggers Star Citizen sandworm attacks!

These massive creatures launch deadly rock projectiles that can instantly kill you if you’re exposed.

Survival Tip:

• Take cover immediately after inserting a card.

• Use a spotter or teammate to watch for incoming sandworms.

• If solo, listen for ground tremors and move accordingly.

Retrieve Battery Packs

After activating a dish terminal, a yellow garage door will unlock behind the dish, revealing a battery pack.

• Each alignment dish rewards one battery upon activation.

• You’ll need three batteries in total—one from each dish.

• Use your MaxLift Tractor Beam to move the batteries quickly.

Stash the batteries inside a secure area before transporting them to the main mining laser—enemy players may try to steal them!

Step 3: Powering the Orbital Mining Laser in Star Citizen

With all three battery packs secured, it’s time to power up the Orbital Mining Laser.

This is where the event heats up, as both NPC enemies and rival players will try to stop you.

Stay alert, work as a team, and prepare for intense combat.

Secure the Area

• Expect Heavy Resistance: Once you approach the Mining Laser platform, you’ll likely encounter hostile NPCs and other players trying to claim the loot.

• Team Coordination is Crucial: Assign roles:

  • Defenders: Cover the area, engage enemies, and protect teammates.

  • Operators: Focus on installing the batteries and completing the objective.

• Use Cover Effectively: The platform has elevated positions—take advantage of them for sniping or overwatch.

Insert the Batteries

Once the area is secure, locate the three power banks near the Mining Laser console.

1. Approach each power bank and insert one battery at a time.

2. If the indicator lights don’t turn green, remove the battery and try reinserting it.

3. Once all three power banks are active, the Mining Laser powers up, signaling the next phase.

Retrieve the Code Keycard

With the Mining Laser now operational, your next task is to acquire the Code Keycard, which grants access to the final loot chamber.

• Head to the Control Room located near the Mining Laser’s main terminal. It's the location in space. 

• Inside, find a secured storage locker—this is where the Code Keycard is kept.

• Retrieve the keycard while staying alert for ambushes—this is a prime location for enemy players to strike.

Step 4: Firing the Orbital Laser

Use the Code Keycard to activate the Orbital Laser from a bunker.

• The laser will blast a new cave entrance into the ground, allowing access to valuable resources.

• This moment is visually stunning, and experiencing it firsthand is a must!

Step 5: Entering the Mine and Gathering Resources

With the Orbital Mining Laser fired, a newly formed cave opens up, granting access to valuable resources.

This is the final and most contested phase of the event—stay sharp, move fast, and prepare for ambushes.

Stay Alert!

• Player Ambushes: The mine is a high-risk PvP zone, as other teams will try to steal your loot instead of mining themselves.

• Sandworm Threats: These massive creatures roam the excavation site and will attack anything that moves—including your ship!

Efficient Mining Strategy for Align and Mine Event

Time is limited, so maximize efficiency with a well-organized team strategy.

• Fast Extraction Over Full Loads: Instead of waiting to fill a massive cargo ship, prioritize small, quick extractions using agile ships like a Cutlass Black or Freelancer.

• Squad Alpha – Mining Team:

  • Equip mining lasers and storage crates to extract resources efficiently.

  • Use Multi-Tools with Ore Attachments to speed up collection.

• Use Storage Boxes: Transfer mined materials into crates and load them directly onto ships to prevent loss during sudden attacks.

Secure an Escape Route

To ensure a safe getaway, have a dedicated security team watching over the mine entrance and the surrounding airspace.

• Squad Bravo – Perimeter Guards:

  • Position snipers or turrets at key chokepoints.

  • Use motion sensors to detect incoming threats.

• Squad Charlie – Air Support:

  • Keep fighters on standby to engage enemy ships.

  • Set up a rendezvous point for quick extractions.

Step 6: Delivering Resources to Wikelow's Emporium

Once your resources are secured, deliver them to Wikelow's Emporium to claim exclusive rewards, including:

• Armor & Weapons

• Ships (including the Polaris)

• Rare items that may be introduced in future updates

PvP and Team Strategy

Team Roles

To maximize efficiency, divide your team into three squads. Here's the tactical breakdown:

• Squad Alpha (Mining & Logistics)

  • Focuses on mining, storing, and extracting resources.

  • Equipped with mining lasers and storage ships.

• Squad Bravo (Ground Combat & Security)

  • Handles ground-based threats and secures the mining site.

  • Carries heavy firepower and med support.

• Squad Charlie (Air Superiority & Overwatch)

  • Provides aerial support and scans for enemy activity.

  • Pilots fighter ships and monitors communications.

Enemy Tactics (Team Red)

Expect opposition to use these strategies:

• Disrupting Alignment Stations: Prevents event progression.

• Destroying Cargo Ships: Eliminates gathered resources.

• Ambushing in the Mines: Catching miners off guard.

Counter these threats by maintaining constant communication and assigning overwatch roles to prevent sabotage.

Still having trouble? Check out this video guide:

Conclusion

The Align and Mine Event is one of the most intense and rewarding experiences in Star Citizen 4.1. Whether you’re mining for riches or fighting for dominance, teamwork and preparation will be the key to success.

With the right strategy, equipment, and coordination, you can emerge victorious, securing exclusive rewards and making a name for yourself in the Star Citizen universe.

Good luck, and happy mining!