I am keenly awaiting the "boarding" concept - i.e. either repel pirate boarders, or board someone else's ship to capture it. Yes, its FPS in Elite/why dont I just play CS instead etc etc but I think it would be cool. Capturing a Cobra might be simple, but capturing an Anaconda or even a capital ship? awesome.
Also EVA repairs and/or derelict salvage missions - e.g. enter a floating derelict and fix critical broken bits so that you can start up the engines again to salvage it and flog it for scrap etc.