If I played real Ironman as some of you guys are arguing, I would never get past the first two hours of the game. I save before every action where I need to commit a large chunk of my fleet for an extended period of time (e.g. Mark IV world). Also, before every action that will result in large AI counterattack (Counterattack posts, raid engines, alarm posts). If said action results in failure or unacceptable casualties (loss of homeworld assets, irreplacable units) I reload and don't do it. I'm just not that good at this game (or, games in general any more) to do Ironman of any kind.