It took a bit to get my bearings, but I like the kind of idle/clicker game combined with time pressure idea. Having some explanations about what was going on might’ve helped. It seems like the only planet(s?) that make coolant get destroyed pretty quick, so if you don’t just immediately make a bunch I think you lose? Not sure. I made it to 19 exotics with a 20th on the way when I ran out.
The planets rotating around was really confusing, I didn’t realize they were the same ones in my first attempt. Trying to fly to one and having it loop around the screen so then your ship has to fly way up to reach it feels less like a designed challenge and more like a bug? If they loop around, why can’t I? The idea of the planets not always being exactly the same distance from each other and having to prioritize where to return to each is a really solid idea though.
Definitely a nice start here