What happened to starting in a small ship in space?

I haven't played the game for about 6 months or so. I downloaded the game today and fired it up. What happened to being able to start a new game in space in a small ship? Does that even exist in the game anymore? If yes, how do I start in it in space?

I dislike the planets in the game, and so want to just play the game the way I used to play it before the planet update, in space with asteroids in that small starter ship you used to get.