I noticed that when you click on Drengi or Kona, you can automatically see the stats of the planet as well as what ships are stationed.  Functionally GC2 was not much different.  However, from a "realism" perspective (I know, that perspective is not always useful) a civilization would have to have some way to determine this information first.  

I do not know what plans there are to the spying side of the game.  However, I would love to see it be a bit more robust than in GC2.  For example, a survey ship could determine some of the information as could a spy.  Survey ship given info might only be accurate as of the time of scan (or passing within X tiles).  Anyway, all I am suggesting is that planet stats be less readily available to the player.  The simplest solution would seem to be the spy option.  However, it would be much more fun it ship/base distance from target would also play a role.  For example, from far away, you know that Drengi has 3 medium hull ships in orbit, but don't know what... until you get closer.