Came back from playing Avorion to check on Disco again and I would like to share my thoughts:
Some features on the roadmap and mod support will allow server admins to make a Freelancer like experience (scale-able galaxy, ship size limitation etc.)., but so far I don't see how will the PVP ever work in Avorion. It will all depend on a dedicated team like DIsco has to make such a community server/mod (once a stable/somewhat final version emerges, if ever).
It seems like the developers work on features that cause even more unbalance and server issues (1 step forward 2 steps back), but the players seems to like these, so I am less than optimistic if it all depends on the devs/community suggestions.
Otherwise the game is good for some mind easing grind and farm. PVE works fine and there is always something to do that pulls you into playing more.