I was thinking that it would be really awesome if players could be able to find items, like secret government projects or alien artifacts, that could improve game-play somehow. Like say, someone finds an alien star-drive, and that star drive somehow compensates for ion storms, so you no longer get stuck in them while traveling. Or another artifact that extended your radar range, so pirates would have a hard time sneaking up on even unwary traders.

This could be done via mining (like a 1% chance of finding an artifact), an explanation being that the asteroid in question was once part of a planet that played host to an advanced alien culture. Or you could have bots that have found them, though they'd have to have more advanced AI's, dodging like players do, otherwise it would be seriously easy to get your hands on these items.

Perhaps even star-drives that let you jump multiple systems at a time (though this would be wonderful, I do doubt it will happen, maybe for capital ships?) Or perhaps even advanced alien weaponry.

Also, derilect ships would be great, like you find them floating out in space and they have so and so cargo or this much cash.

The idea of special items and artifacts has been mentioned quite a few times, but I don't think anyone ever suggested finding them while mining. I think that's a great idea. It would give people a reason to mine.

Crafting would give people reason to mine as well...

Perhaps things could be found floating WAAAY out in some sectors, encouraging exploration? Like a massive derelict starship? Or really-big asteroid with tunnels? Or somethin?

as cool as these ideas are they unfortunately are on the (everyone and their mother has thought of it on some level, list)

i'd say give the basic physics and interface time to develope more solidly and bring this up again later.