Maybe the Devs don't have this part of the game in place yet and have made it this way because of that, but in the Vasari empire research tree, the Improved Salvage ---> Wreckage-Auto Salvage seems to be bugged. The Wreckage-Auto Salvage requires 2 points in Imp. Salv. and Imp. Salv. only allows you to put one point into it making Wreck. Salv. unattainable!
Also, on an unrelated topic. The whole penalization for new planets is an interesting new game dynamic, but it would be nicer if the penalty wasn't as bad for "Dead Asteroids."