We're trying to duplicate the main features of the original Universe Sandbox while adding in new, realistic simulation detail and make the whole thing easier and better in every way.
And since it's not a first person shooter or side scroller, there's not a whole lot of examples to point to regarding how to make this thing. Making a real time, realistic simulation of the universe that runs as a huge variety of scales and looks amazing is a hard problem that hasn't been solved.
We'll begin providing access to the beta via pre-orders when it's ready, but not before. I wish it was going faster too.