Ok, so the answer would be yes. Because everything was designed around the "only one system" idea. Without this, I'd have left the player choose the ship's direction and remove the spinning mechanic or the orbit and slingshot mechanic, the player could recharge the reactor just by grabbing "floating collectible batteries" like in some many game, instead of forcing him to use the only one button.
Remove this idea, add other systems and buttons and of course It'd be a completely different game. To be honest, it wouldn't even be a game in space, the idea itself came from the restriction. And guess what, it'd be a boring game in my opinion, yes. I suppose it's not your opinion then, and I understand it, no worries ;)
Thanks for your feedback.