If waiting for one space combat game (this one) to come back to life is not enough, check out the efforts to relaunch Lensman, based on Doc Smith's books and originally published in 1969. 
 
Lensman is an old-school wargame with lots of fiddly bits, but with updated graphics and rules.  The mention of galactic exploration and orbital forts made me think that Star Empires must owe a spiritual debt to this game.  Anyway, I'm looking forward to checking it out when it's ready.
 
The description of the Lensman scenarios reminded me of Starfleet Orion from my teenage Apple II days.  This was one of the first (if not the first) space combat games for micro computers.  Each player took turns entering orders for their beams, missiles, and torpedoes, and then the software ran the update.  It also had different ship classes (and a story-filled Battle Manual), so SE probably has some roots here, as well.  I remember having great fun with the tractor beams in the "Dirge" scenario -- maybe they'll make an appearance in Star Empires some day.