It's pretty much official that there will be a Freespace 2 mod sometime in the future. Currently our plans are to either make a FS2 mod to begin with, then incorporate a FS1 mod, or make the FS1 version first for an easy start then patch to a version with FS2 fully included. Either way, you can count on both eras of Freespace being included, along with Silent Threat and a few other non-canon mods. Our current idea is that the player will start in the Freespace 1 era, then slowly advance their technologies to be fully up to date, from Ross 128 to the collapse of the Capella star and the end of the Second Invasion. Along the way will be familiar events and alliances that you have chances to form and also new enemies emerging where needed.
Our plans on the version releases will be to create the FS1 beta first. Once the beta is released, we will see how the players like it and what needs to be balanced and improved in the second beta. Hopefully our second beta will include the full version of FS1 and lead to the final release of the FS1 phase of the mod (you will have the option to use only FS1 settings if you'd like, by only using the FS1 era). Next we will release a beta and as many concurring betas as is required for the FS2 edition of it. It will include all things in the FS1 era, then everything past to collapse of the Sol jump node. The player will be required to upgrade all of their technologies to be able to defend theirselves against the increasingly powerful enemy, and possibly we could include two separate tech tres. There will also be patches included inbetween versions to keep your files as up-to-date as possible and to revise all the balancing required.
Now, for the factions. It is certain that atleast three factions will be included, and maybe a pirate faction. The Terrans, Vasudans, and Shivans will definitely be present. It is possible that we may include the NTF, HoL, and other splinter groups as pirate factions, with the exception of being unable to colonize and grow. The pirate factions will be unplayable, but if the demand is high enough we could include them as a true faction.
At this time the mod team is comprised of myself (Rallis), Mazer1337, Midnightjoker, and Mashew. We are looking for more members right now, so if you have anything to offer to this mod (you don't even have to know much about Freespace, we can fill you in) please volunteer. We have forums that all the mod team members are actively posting on and keeping in touch, and everyone else who wants to stay up to date with us is welcome to register. The forums are here: http://fs2modproject.invisionplus.net/