An interesting new mechanic would be a spy probe researchable maybe in the third era and buildable with adamantian / antimatter. While passes through an enemy system, reveals for that turn the current system production so players can guess its technological status and spot the key ship-building systems. Could be equipped only on scout ships which would be intriguing to upgrade with additional slots and purposes, like for all other ships. I already imagine a super-scout with a cloaking device and spy probes