My recommendation for this forum is that we remember that true realism isn't realistic. So we should try and limit our suggestions to minor game play improvements and even bug fixes.
True realism may not be realistic, but there is logical vs. illogical.
It seems illogical to me to start off with a Flagship that I have no way to reproduce. It's also not logical to start off with a colony ship before I've determined where to send it. Plus, it seems strange that I've researched planetary colonization without having researched the ability to survey the space I'll be traveling through.
Starting with two miners and three scout ships makes more sense.
If one is a super trader, of course, it's only logical that one would start with a trade freighter.
Starting with a constructor instead of a colony ship is also another possibility. One's range is limited and being able to establish the means to double that range is more important than starting a new colony...
Once a new colony is established, moving more people there becomes a priority. I'd like to see a "Star Liner" module. Granted, I can use a colony ship, but that's not it's purpose or how it was designed to be used. Plus, building Star Liners should also improve "tourism". (Something that could be expanded upon in GC3).
But the biggest thing I'd like to see is a prequil expansion rather than a sequel.
SK