I think You are right BarrenEarth.
But there is much more about SC. Chris Roberts talk about 2 huge (in game) advantages:
FULLY DYNAMIC UNIVERSE (constantly updated - weekly or bi-weekly) If they manage to add good updates once a month it will be awesome !! And here Egosoft Update policy loose! He said they will add new everything... sectors, ships and more... and another briliant idea: If any player discover this newly added sector, it can be named after that player! (I think there will be much more to it) This will keep ppl close to the SC universe - truly loayal fans.
MULTIPLAYER + MODDING. Chris said the multiplayer mode will be very core of SC. So players can not anoy about AI (at last not in the scale of XU) You can fly with your friends, talk to them, make a teams etc... It's more than HUGE bonus, it's totaly new POV! This will add more strategic possibilities, chalenge... it's like WOW!
Modding with MODDING APPROVAL. If some ships, weapon etc.. is designed really good, it will be approved and added to central core game. This is another big bonus, which is not available for XU.
I'm not trying to say that Rebirth is bad. But if Chris Richard will achive all of his ideas (and knowing him, he will!) Egosoft will be forced to rethink / rebuild... AND THEY WILL NEED TO START TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHAT THE PLAYERS HAVE TO SAY!!! Becouse now I have feeling that they ... on us. Sad, but true.
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me...