It really depends. I play very similar to Jorgen (the gravity deviation it's a nice touch by the way) but I would say that you have a huge issue: repetitive play through which I know both myself and Jorgen sort with the RP.
The thing is that if you are not trying to tell a story then you may find yourself in the same chain of events time after time after time.
I have now identified that if I am trying to tell a particular story then I generally start as Jorgen said and mostly very similar to what you doing. And beware that I do so only because I need all characters to actually have an appropriate age group and background before being ready to venture in space.
However, if the above it's not the case then I will just start TN and as I know already how much Research points and construction points I would have sunk in reaching the stage I am ready to jump out of Sol I just SM all the below:
Research
Designs
Add Ships and Ground Units
Adjust factories and all infrastructure
Add another load of Officers
Terraform Luna and Mars to level 0 and add infrastructure and population accordingly
Deplete all minerals from Sol but Sorium, may take some on Mercury, Mars etc if these generates 3/400,000 plus in a particular mineral.
Keep a stock on Earth of 100,000 to 200,000 per mineral (considering availability at start)
The big drawback with the above is that you not have the natural civilian growth that also helps your economy but it is a massive SM kick start that would allow you to quickly catch up in 4 to 5 years.
I call this my sandbox database and I use it to either test strategies, check bugs, etc.
I have to be honest with you I don't understand how people can play Aurora without role play or even control more races because honestly without that the "game" it's not really that interesting.
I think this is the greatest game ever even attempted and made but it does require you and your mind to go with it. If you do that, you can uninstall steam and sell your xbox or playstation because honestly a lifetime wouldn't be enough for you to learn and enjoy the game fully.
Personally only once M&B II will be properly modded and supported I will be able to get off Aurora hook. Currently Shadow Empire was on that path but I wore off that easily as well, because even if it got all elements to be great you cannot drive your own story which it's a shame. It's the same as Rimworld and the Story teller. No matter what people say, you don't drive your story in Rimworld, the story teller does. I love Rimworld but you often find yourself following the events and react to them.
Aurora allows you to be the story teller in a way it was possible only in Dungeon and Dragons (or board games in general).
I think if Steve could find a way to add a sort of random bonus or malus after a component has designed Aurora will be eternal. This will add so much. I know preparation is everything but imagine you design your sensors and there is a possibility that the performance are better than expected of 10% and so on.
Also I cannot wait for multiple AI personalities and improvements on general AI he promised so many times that I believe being true now.