I am not the sort that generally cares about spoilers, but I went into the game completely blind and the reset mechanic was a surprise, and honestly the most interesting mystery of the game.
I found flying the model spaceship in the starting practice area very difficult, but the actual spaceship flying and navigation pretty easy. I do not recall if I was using an autopilot at all. I remember it took a little to figure out, but nothing like KSP (or Orbiter!). I struggled a lot more with a couple if the puzzles to be honest.
Its a charming game, strong art style, whymsical, a little melancholy.