For conquerable stations: allow players with user keys to key a station with user key. They still would not be able to add other users with their access, but they would need to create a brand new key.

Interesting. So non-owners could essentially make someone an "owner" of content, for the sake of a particular key's existing state of user distribution?

Correct.

Maybe the hierarchy for keys could be something like:

Owner
|
Manager
|
User

Owners can designate all three. They can revoke Managers and Users.
Managers can designate only users. They can revoke no one. Or maybe they can revoke only users.

If a user or manager takes a station, they should be able to put it on an "Owner" key without being an "Owner." But perhaps this promotes them to Manager. This might be a way for a guild or an alliance to better manage key distribution and encourage loyalty from key-holders. Many people don't really care about owning or managing, but just want access. By keying what they perceive as a strong or capable alliance (Owners & Managers), they can earn continued access consideration for the future.

Skin,

I almost made that as the suggestion, but it seemed overly complicated, so I simplified the suggestion before posting.

I'm not sure what the benefit would be to adding another layer of authority?

I mean, at present I'm not sure what the downside would be to allowing User Key holders to essentially "give" something to someone else, by conquering for them.

Somewhere down the line there might be some additional ramifications to consider, but we can deal with those whenever they arrive.

sounds like conquering station would evolve into corporate management, clearly Skinny has spent too much time with TGFT.

PS: may we have some spreadsheets of some kind to complete the suggestion for any non usefulness usage you see fit?

+1 would enable guildies to conquer a station and apply guild key that LTs and Commanders control w/o getting into the politics of key ownership and issuance.