Constant waves of enemies (when exploring)

[Read Error A]

So I'm fairly merily plodding along on the quest missions, which I'm really enjoying. Occasionally I'll pop out to look around an unexplored sector at which point endless enemies just swamp me!
I enjoy the combat but it never ends so I can't collect all that lovely loot or even take a breather, so am I doing something wrong or should I just not look into other sectors?
Any advice would be appreciated you vetrans out there.

[sɹɐʎA xɘlA]

Heya,

Most places in the galaxy are contested like that. Freerunner territories are friendly to you, but become attacked if bordered by enemies. Everyone else pretty much want to kill the freerunners (the Consortium guys are cool, though.)

Try to find areas that are deeply nested within the Freerunner faction's area of control, or "empty" sectors without names, to avoid combat. My go-to spot to reprovision is Gamma Station.

You can also control the number of factions which spawn while free-roaming from Game Options, if you find that there are too many spawning for your taste.

--Alex

[Read Error A]

Thanks, that explains a lot. I was concerned I was missing a cut off point but your post has sorted it. :)
I've found the best tactic for me is too lay wate to as much as possible grab what I can and then snap jump to my favourite base. I guess I'll continue to do this and practice spotting the loot that attracts my attention. :)
I'm massivley enjoying this game with it's gorgeous exlosions, mental rocket barrages and variety of enemies so far

[Nox]

It's not constant- you just have to break whatever opposition they can produce. It's overwhelming at first, and there may be a mix of friendly and hostile units depending on the degree of control.

Later, those are the fatly loot options.

[Read Error A]

Thanks for the reply Nox, Enemies do keep spawning but as you say you have to break them.
Thanks to Alex's fine explanation I know what I did wrong.
When I decided to explore I would pick a jump as far as I could get. This meant I was facing xenoid and enforcers at the same time and unable to kill the hive's and fortresses and cruisers/gunships before the next incoming alert. This basically led to several epic hour and a half space confrontations.(before I bravely ran away)
Things are a lot easier now I've produced the reaper and equipped it with all up barrage missile weapons and various nasty primary cannon.

It's still a shock when a freaky Xenoid fortress jumps in on top of my cloaked ship though :)