It seems like different people have different preferences with the way backgrounds are rendered in Vendetta. So rather than simply changing the texture quality of each setting in the graphics settings menu, maybe the backgrounds could be rendered in as a system of layers that will not only offer a performance boost, but will also keep the game beautiful in all settings. The level of complexity can work like this...

OFF: Sun and planets (as rotating 3D models) rendered only. Black background.
LOW: Sun and planets, but now with a smooth nebula layer as the background.
MEDIUM: Sun, planets, nebulae, and constellations rendered.
HIGH: Sun, planets, nebulae, constellations, and stars rendered.

Vendetta already partially renders some of the background settings in layers. So why not allow the player to choose which parts of it are rendered and which aren't by way of layers? Adding the rotating planets from the high setting to the lowest setting probably won't even have much of an impact in performance. It's simply a spherical object slapped into the skybox that rotates. It's no different than adding an additional asteroid in the sector.

The highest setting with this proposal will look identical to the current highest setting options. But for those with lower end graphics the difference in quality will be VERY noticeable at the lower background settings. The textures won't be washed out. The planets won't look flat and ugly. It'll look beautiful because it's the same quality, but with only parts of it rendered. A separate option to lower the texture quality of background layers can be offered, but not necessary.