Hey this is really cool. Looks a lot like a game concept that I was going to make a long long time ago. In fact it was one of my first games, it was a cross between StarControl/StarTrek(for the original B&W Macintosh) and X-Wing. You'd fly missions in 'sectors' where you had to complete objectives to move on to different areas, etc. The project was shelved, but I have someone willing to do a novelization on the game's story concept.

Anyhow back to the game I guess... I'm not able to download it from the link you provided, but I was able to look at the videos. Very nicely done. If you ever want to 'evolve' this game I'd recommend trying pre-rendered sprites made from ship models. The effects you can always just use more detailed particles. Love these types of games, please keep working on it and tell us all about it.