If you check the name of the show, it already reveals this a story of those orphans, the space rats. This detour, as you called it, is monumental for their growth. If you only look at this show from Kudelia's and perhaps the Martian politics' point of view, then it's a different thing, but I never felt that was the core of this story. This is also why I'm forgiving the almost goofy portrayal of Gjallarhorn so far.