I think that this is a really smart analysis and the way to go. Mini research stores that can only be captured through taking the planets -- it's that whole carrot versus the stick thing. Don't know why I was thinking the stick, the carrot you've suggested is so much better.
Someone has to be the "hit players with a bigger stick" person. After all it's not as if players are often going to suggest that they need to be clubbed harder to enjoy the game very often. (Well, except for the masochists anyway, and they've already got AI10...
).