I've pretty much settled on
this as my DWE ship. I really think planetary landings is a game changer for exploration, especially for a super long trip like this. With smaller and D rated equipment, even on low-g planets, just a slight lapse in concentration can lead to losing shields and hull damage, if not outright destruction. I still fly into suns, so I expect to have more than a few hard landings. I really wanted A rated power plant and shields and settled for larger D rated thrusters and power distributor. I'm also bringing two buggies. I'll have to use some Jumponium, but the materials are fairly easy to find and I already have all the stock I expect to need. I think that with these bigger and better modules I should be able to survive little mistakes. I'm afraid that a lot of people with small and D rated modules aren't going to make it.
P.S. They have over 450 commanders signed up now.