Less costing upgrades, cause' I need 5-7 runs to upgrade something. More "participation", cause' I just launch at maximum, press "S", wait until it goes off, press "A", cslow click the squirrel many times and wait.
For 'defend-the-bla-bla-bla" missions, I recommend using lots of Repair Stations and Missile Launcher. Create Solar Stations to 'unite' things, not Energy Relays. Solar Stations create energy. And mine a lot, if you have asteroids near you.