Lately the DDOS and server downtime was a major issue, which has driven down server population - It will recover from it.
One suggestion from me, though: Instead of releasing those big updates, just have a constant flow of new stuff and bugfixes, so in my opinion: A new ship is done, or a new model - Note on forums: Stuff just got replaced (or wait until you have two or three -small- things).
And if you run out of stuff to do, poke some threads for quick community input on what could be changed - I am very sure there is always something, that 1) Does not take a lot of effort and/or time 2) Will make a few people happy.
From my view, the (somewhat) stiffness or missing flow, or missing visible flow of development is a big issue.
New players and experienced players both want to see someone, who cares - Not only on Admin level, but mainly on dev level.
Only one small post with a minor bug, two or three small details changed, possibly even a new ship from time to time, every week or two, will make this place -look- FAR more alive and therefore more appealing.
Sounds hard and if I could dev, I'd somehow try to help. But I can't, so ****.