The game is in need of more/improved player communication, and I believe this could be achieved by the implementation of a public chat. I understand the reasoning for not having a public chat channel for entire systems, which is why I suggest having a public chat channel for each separate station and outpost instead. I'd love to dock at a station to take a break from piracy and smuggling, and to just have a friendly chat with a local or passerby having stopped for fuel.
A dedicated chat channel would be created as soon as a person docks to a station or outpost. Anyone who docks after that person will simply join the chat channel. Once the host leaves, the host privileges will be passed on to the next docked player. Once the last player leaves, the chat channel will cease to exist. (Because having 4 billion simultaneous and constant chat channels simply wouldn't work)
A dedicated chat channel would be created as soon as a person docks to a station or outpost. Anyone who docks after that person will simply join the chat channel. Once the host leaves, the host privileges will be passed on to the next docked player. Once the last player leaves, the chat channel will cease to exist. (Because having 4 billion simultaneous and constant chat channels simply wouldn't work)