I've seen them mentioned in some of the earlier newsletters, but considering how they're still not in the game, I was wondering as to whether or not they've been scratched? Technically, there *are* pirate bases, but they're essentially just glorified outposts with pirate decals. Shipyards and the black market aren't physically in the game, but manifest through sections in the already-existing space stations.
Ex: http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=ee59a3bb5e
Ex: http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=ee59a3bb5e