Now that I've spent some time playing this game and have ventured beyond the 3-4 systems I've run cargo missions through, I'm wondering how you go about finding systems that aren't on the nav map, if they even exist yet...

The exploration add on will be created in roughly 6 months.

Though, the grey sectors are largely uncharted. You could start there by exploring the asteroid belts and noting the bots that you find there. I'm sure that RelayeR would love to receive updated intelligence on the grey sector bots. :-)

Yeah, or he'd love to catch there and gun you down.

My advice on exploring is bring something that has a lot of guns.

No, bring something that runs fast instead. More effective :)

Hmm... I think the Hornet counts as both, I just need another pilot rank to get it.

The hornet is dead-meat when its approached by a player. When approached by five hostile DenTek Assaults? Not much better.

A vulture is my recommendation.

<I'm wondering how you go about finding systems that aren't on the nav map, if they even exist yet...>

The game is apparantly capable of creating new systems on the fly. So this is going to come pretty soon. I'm thinking the devs are holding off on a robust exploration system until they improve the navigation system. i.e. Custom nav points, individualized maps, the option to make notes on sectors, etc.

They also must add in mining and do a few things to the economy. Exploration is pointless without a good reason, they must build it step by step.

When mining is in and down the road the economy is possibly run differently, exploration will become necissary to keep minerals flowing into the market. It will obviously be before player owned stations though since those players would need to find somewhere to build them.

I would guess between 4-6 months, just a guess though.