As I understand it, the answer is 42

Are you in the Beta Linux_User?

I missed out on getting Open Beta keys (they went rather fast ).

If so, how are you finding it? And what's it like? It didn't really catch my eye since i guess exploring planets didn't really seem to be my thing?

From what I've seen of it the majority of the game seems to be set in space and combatting enemy ships. In the in between bits you can beam down to a planet's surface but you'll soon be back in your ship fighting it out with the Klingon/Borg/Romulans/etc...

Yeah I'm in the open beta. I'm really enjoying it - so far only a little bit of space is available (a small part of Federation space and Klingon space).

The missions are varied - you have "set" missions that you can accept, this will involve anything from investigating an unknown planet or abandoned space station, to fighting it out in space/on an away mission. There are also missions where you establish/maintain diplomatic relations. Some missions also form part of a story chain (with subsequent missions).

However, my favourites are the randomly-generated missions and fleet battles. An event will appear in space - be it a ship/starbase in distress or an enemy fleet movement. You can join fellow players in combat against dozens of ships, it's fantastic fun.

Another feature I really like is not only that you can play missions with friends in a "fleet" but if you go into a mission you join the "open instance" fleet and complete it with a load of strangers - or if you wish you can leave the fleet at any time and complete it alone.