You’re wandering around Santo Domingo, probably dodging 6th Street bullets or just trying to find a Ripperdoc who won't overcharge for a basic optic upgrade, and suddenly you stumble upon a bunch of bums huddled around a briefcase. That’s how it starts. No grand cinematic intro. Just a piece of high-tech trash sitting in the dirt. This is Cyberpunk 2077 Space Oddity, a side quest that feels like a fever dream but ends up being one of the most profitable—and weirdly poetic—moments in the entire game.
Honestly, Night City is full of distractions. You've got Panam calling you every five minutes, Takemura waiting at a diner for three weeks straight, and Johnny Silverhand complaining about the "corpo rats" in your ear. It’s easy to skip the minor side jobs. Don't do that here. This quest isn't just a fetch mission; it’s a bridge between the gritty street life of V and the cosmic, high-stakes world of the orbital high-riders.
Finding the Briefcase in Rancho Coronado
To kick things off, you need to head to the southern part of Santo Domingo. Look for a gas station. You’ll see three guys arguing over a military-grade suitcase they found in the trash. You can handle this a few ways. If your Body stat is high enough, you can just intimidate them. If you’re playing a more refined V, maybe you pay them off. Or, if you’re feeling impatient, just zero them. It’s Night City. Nobody’s judging.
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Once you have the case, the real puzzle begins. If you’re a Netrunner, hacking the terminal is a breeze. If not, you’re looking for a corpse nearby. It's grim. You’ll find the access shard on a body tucked away behind some dumpsters. This is the classic CD Projekt Red environmental storytelling—the guy died protecting a secret he probably didn't even understand.
The Drop Point and the Seven-Star Painting
After you crack the code, you get coordinates for a drop point out in the Badlands. Driving out there is a vibe. The music shifts, the neon fades, and you’re left with the dust and the looming presence of the Militech satellites. When you arrive, you aren't alone. You’ll have to take out a squad of Militech agents who are clearly not happy about their lost property.
The prize? A painting. It’s titled Untitled 18 - Brancesi, 2021.
It’s an actual piece of art that fell from the sky. Literally. It dropped from a lunar shuttle. In the early days of the game's release, this painting was the center of a massive infinite money glitch. You could sell it for 4,000 eddies, buy it back for 5, then sell it again. CDPR eventually patched that because, well, it broke the game's economy. But even without the glitch, the Cyberpunk 2077 Space Oddity reward remains one of the highest-value single items you can find in the early-to-mid game.
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Why Does a Painting Matter in a Cyberpunk Dystopia?
It feels out of place, right? You’re a mercenary with a digital ghost in your brain, and you’re fighting over a canvas. But that’s the point. In Night City, physical history is the ultimate luxury. Most people live in digital loops, eating "K-Pop" flavored synth-meat and watching braindances. A real painting from the 21st century is worth more than a dozen high-end cyberdecks to the right collector.
Johnny has some thoughts on this, too. He’s always got thoughts. He views the painting as a symbol of the "Highriders"—the people living on the lunar colonies who have effectively abandoned Earth. To them, the planet is just a resource pit. To V, it’s a paycheck. This contrast is what makes the quest stick in your head long after you’ve spent the money on a new pair of Mantis Blades.
Dealing With the Militech Ambush
Let’s talk combat strategy for a second. These Militech guys aren't jokes if you go in underleveled. They have high armor and decent snipers.
If you’re running a Sandevistan build, it’s a slaughter. You can zip between them before they even unholster their weapons. But if you’re a squishy hacker, stay behind the car. Use the "Overheat" or "Short Circuit" quickhacks. The area is wide open, so there isn't much cover once the bullets start flying. I’ve seen people try to stealth this, and it’s possible, but honestly, it’s much more satisfying to go loud after they try to act like they own the desert.
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The Lore Connection: Who is Brancesi?
The painting itself isn't just a random asset. In the world of Cyberpunk, art has become a tool for money laundering among the elite. The "Space Oddity" quest title is a nod to David Bowie, obviously, but it also highlights the "alien" nature of the ultra-rich. They live in space; they collect "primitive" oil paintings. It’s a flex.
By taking the painting, V is essentially stealing from the gods of this universe. It’s a small act of rebellion that pays incredibly well. Even after the 2.0 and 2.1 updates, the mission stands out as a tight, well-paced piece of content that doesn't overstay its welcome.
Maximizing Your Profit Post-Patch
Since you can't do the 5-eddy buyback trick anymore, you have to be smarter. Don't just sell the painting to the first vending machine you see if you don't need the cash immediately.
Some players prefer to keep it in their apartment stash. It’s a trophy. But if you’re hurting for gear, 4,000 eddies is a significant chunk of change. That’s enough to cover several component upgrades or get you closer to buying that Akira-inspired Yaiba Kusanagi bike.
- Check your level before starting. If you’re under level 10, the Militech guys might one-shot you.
- Ensure you have at least 7 points in Intelligence if you want to skip the body-searching phase.
- Don't accidentally scrap the painting for crafting materials. It’s rare, but I’ve seen it happen to distracted players.
- If you want the "full" experience, read the emails on the terminal. It explains exactly how the painting ended up in a dumpster in the first place—a tale of corporate incompetence that never gets old.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Mercenary
If you haven't finished Cyberpunk 2077 Space Oddity yet, head to the Rancho Coronado fast travel point now. Look for the "Blue Moon" sign and head south. Clear your inventory before you go so you can grab all the Militech loot too. The rifles those agents carry sell for a decent price, effectively doubling your take from the mission.
Once the painting is in your hands, take a look at it in your inventory. It’s a rare moment of genuine beauty in a city made of neon and grime. Then, sell it. Or don't. In Night City, the choice between being a connoisseur and being fed is entirely yours.
Check your map for the quest marker labeled "Stranger" near the gas station to get started. If it's not appearing, you might need to progress slightly further in the main Act 2 storyline, specifically after you've met with Takemura at the docks. Once the world opens up, this should be your first stop for easy capital. After selling the painting, head straight to a Ripperdoc—specifically Viktor in Little China—to upgrade your Kiroshi optics. Those upgrades will make the rest of the Santo Domingo missions significantly easier to manage through walls and cover. Don't sit on the cash; the inflation in Night City means a Eurodollar spent today is worth more than one saved for a tomorrow you might not live to see.