Alpha 4.3.1: The RSI Apollo Finally Takes Flight

Patch Overview

Alpha 4.3.1 went LIVE on September 18, 2025, and it’s headlined by one of the most anticipated ships in Star Citizen’s pipeline: the RSI Apollo. Both the Triage and Medivac variants are now flyable, accompanied by significant medical gameplay improvements.

RSI Apollo: Triage & Medivac

The Apollo has been on backers’ radar since its concept sale in 2018. Seven years later, it’s finally in-game — and it was worth the wait.

Triage Variant

The Apollo Triage is the standard medical variant:

• Configurable medical bays — choose between Tier 1, 2, or 3 beds depending on mission needs
• Tier 1 beds can perform full regeneration (respawn), making the Apollo a mobile spawn point
• Adequate cargo space for medical supplies and equipment

Medivac Variant

The Medivac is the enhanced version:

• More medical bed slots than the Triage
• Better armor for operating in combat zones
• Priority triage capability for mass casualty scenarios

Telescopic Docking Collar

Both variants feature a telescopic docking collar that enables:

• Ship-to-ship docking for patient transfer
• Station docking for resupply
• Potential for boarding operations (unofficially)

This is the first implementation of ship-to-ship docking on a medical vessel, and it works surprisingly well.

Medical Gameplay Updates

The Apollo’s arrival coincides with broader medical system improvements:

Atmospheric Control Surfaces

Ships now have more nuanced atmospheric handling, which matters for medical evacuation:

• Smoother low-altitude flight for planet-side pickups
• Better hover stability during loading operations

Medgel System

Medgel is a new healing mechanic:

• Apply medgel to wounds for rapid stabilization
• Faster than medical pens for minor injuries
• Doesn’t replace full medical treatment but buys time in the field

Why This Matters

Medical gameplay has been one of Star Citizen’s most underdeveloped loops. The Apollo and its accompanying systems represent the first time CIG has delivered a coherent medical experience:

1. Get injured in combat
2. Call for medivac via beacon
3. Apollo arrives, docks or lands nearby
4. Patient transferred to medical bay
5. Treatment administered, patient stabilized or respawned

It’s still early, but the foundation is solid.

CDYN Impact

Rescue Division: This is your ship. The Apollo is purpose-built for everything our Rescue division does. Both variants should be priority acquisitions for division members.

Security Division: Having an Apollo in your fleet operations means your combat teams have on-site medical support. Coordinate with Rescue for combined ops.

All Divisions: Medical beacons are now more meaningful. If you go down, help can actually reach you in a dedicated medical ship.

The Apollo’s arrival transforms medical gameplay from an afterthought into a genuine role. It’s been a long time coming.