I'm still buzzing after reading Matt's tribute to Elite. Almost a eulogy. I have hardly thought of this game in 20 years yet the way you described it Matt actually took me to the shitty old lounge chair I spent months ( maybe years ) playing this game in. Seeing the old screen of the Cobra I was in control of was priceless.
I used to walk home from school during lunch break to squeeze in a half hour play. If I remember correctly this may have only been one docking at one new planet. It is a tragedy that the designers of this game are not world famous.
I'm gonna click on your link right now.