For the launch goal I usually click it before launch. Sometimes it takes a bit if it's blinking but once checked you don't have to worry about it again if you revert to pre-launch. I also agree that it is basically pointless. As far as science rewards, I have gotten stalled at Kastor III because I can't get enough science to research clamp-o-tron juniors. Maybe I just don't know the tech tree/ science gathering well enough to get 620 science in 6 missions, but it does seem like some science reward would be appropriate. Otherwise, it's a great set of missions.