They way they made it sound was as if a no ship account is the "near free" way to play, something different than the normal ten day to two week trial period associated with MMOs. Then when you want to purchase your first ship you can buy in. But in the mean time you can at least crew ships, walk around and interact with things, and help out on runs.
They might do something like let you play, but you can't buy a ship until you purchase a hangar space or something.
It could be a great way to get an alt-account that you use purely to man a second seat on a ship.