For as much of a placeholder the survey stuff is, it's still fun. Obviously it will lead to the outposts but who knows how far we'll be able to take it. I think what's intriguing is how these various rich/poor worlds translates into gameplay mechanics.
I don't necessarily want the game to turn into Starsector: Terraforming Edition but an industrial outpost that has little/no access to say, food, will have to get it imported. You can buy from the core worlds or settle another world (possible in another system) that does grow. You basically have to create the supply/demand for your various outposts but...if the return is the ability to create fuel, supplies, manufacture ships, etc. it could really be worth it.
Not to mention have automated fleets of your own that could *eventually* challenge the status quo of the sector or prepare for some threat that everyone knows is coming. That's the endgame I hope to have, at least.