[Puke]

yep. Item value directly relates to the scoring system. Science Mission gives more points for lifeforms and exploration. Military Mission gives more points for diplomacy (including blowing [censored] up) and ship components. Pirate strikes a balance between the two.

Alas, the universe (map and quest generation) seems not to care. This probably points to something profound that the game developer is trying to say about the very nature of existance its self.

or, you know... not.