The team hasn't released that many details about the ideologies or goals of the factions, but we do know that there will be two human factions and one alien faction to choose from. As an added bonus a fourth faction is currently undergoing development and might be added later as an update. Each faction has nine unique hull types and a number of specialized weapons. There are 25 total unique weapon systems which you can employ aboard your ships and over 50 different ship enhancements. Ship types in DarkSpace are equivalent to classes in role-playing games.
Scouts are more for players interested in speed and subterfuge.
Stealth craft also attract fans of underhanded tactics. Interceptors provide defense for heavy battle cruisers. Engineering ships can set up defense platforms or sensor stations to supplement player controlled orbital battle platforms. Bombers weaken planetary defenses so that transport ships can move in with ground troops. As a result you're not actually going to be aiming or firing any of the weapons yourself.