Starsector 0.97a is out! (02/02/24); New blog post: Simulator Enhancements (03/13/24)
I think it only works on new saves. But otherwise it unlocks at friendly.
ORA likely has too many markets at game start....11 is... even hegemony doesnt have that many markets, and some of the Heg's are in shared systems. Doesnt seem like to many to you?