There was a turn based strategy title set around the Star Trek universe that came out a while back, Birth of the Federation, the combat system from that game actually would be a solid compromise. What it did was group your fleet into battle groups, all ships in the same size class, and you tell each group what maneuver you would like them to perform.
The maneuver selection was turn based and fairly cinematic. After both sides selected their maneuvers you hit the "turn" button and the ships on both sides would execute their maneuvers simultaneously, then next turn you would repeat. That would be a way to have some tactics, while also preventing wholesale exploits.
It also seems like unless it would be a wholesale battle logic change, it would be able to be implemented in the current engine, at least graphically anyway.
I too would "like" some form of tactical combat, it adds to the flavor. However one thing to think about is that Civ 1-3 (I have not played 4 yet) did not have any form of tactical combat aside from assembling units and ramming them into one another… I guess a bit like the old battle chess game. And the Civ games were not crucified for lacking this feature like this game is.
Though I suppose the shadow and legacy of MOO surrounds all space strats.
