Hmmm.... This sounds very suspicious to me. Played Elite Plus hundreds hours and tested all kind possible tricks to get access to 9th galaxy... without success. Could be an Urban Elite Legend. Its true there are text: "Welcome to 9th Galaxy" in a Game Code, as well as text related to Constrictor Mission, which is seemingly only half implemented, thus can be triggered, but doesn't lead anywhere (after losing Combat Rating). (Check:
http://forums.frontier.co.uk/member.php?u=4518).
I must test that Scooping Fuel and initiating Galactic Hyperdrive simultaneously during Supernova Refugee (1st mission after Tribbles) Mission. But I really doubt that.
Other rumor: You must shoot every Thargoids in Witch Space and then jump out with galactic Hyperdrive to get the 9th Galaxy. Witch Space is notoriously deadly place in otherwise too easy version of Elite. Never managed to do that myself, but someone claim it is possible to do.
Until really proved otherwise, I personally consider these claims as a 'myths'.
___________________________________________________________________________
EDIT/ADD: 16th June 2014: Partially Off Topic Add.
On Elite Plus beyond 60000 Hit Points
I searched through old hard drives and found old CDR-game save file from time before losing Elite status first time (at 60081 Hits:
http://s928.photobucket.com/user/notinf/media/ELITEPlus60KHitsProof_zps9def2372.jpg.html) few years ago. I replayed and tested what would happen if I continue that save game further. I managed reproduce 'promotion' message at 60005 Hit points. It seems the game start/Trigger something on at 60000 Hit Points, Constrictor mission apparently. (
http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad122/notinf/Eliteplus2_zps32ec28ae.jpg) Then I continued playing CDR-file of my 'main' current game with Archangel Nothoria/Infama and got this 'promotion' Message at 64014 hits:
http://s928.photobucket.com/user/no...014Hitpoints15thJune2014_zps068890c1.png.html
15th June 2014 I also achieved a milestone of 2000000 Played Credits after about 10 and half years more or less active flying (Current Commander/Game).
Next day, after some 40 systems explored in Galaxy Chart 2 and another 1000+ hit points made since last 'promotion', I got new 'Promotion' Message at 35111 Hits:
http://s928.photobucket.com/user/no...111Hitpoints16thJune2014_zpsb0da6701.png.html
If these kind messages appear in future after every 1000 (Elite in Elite Plus) or more Hit points made, that means I got what I've ever wanted most in Elite Plus: Hit Counter. I am not concerned about apparent buggy appearance (
http://s928.photobucket.com/user/notinf/media/NothoriaInfama-2MCr_zpsbc8bda1d.png.html and
http://s928.photobucket.com/user/notinf/media/FunnyRating_zps9bd08b7c.png.html for Example) of the game or that 'Constrictor' mission doesn't work right, if I get sort of 'Right on Commander!' - Message every time after further 1000+ Hit points, as such thing gives a point continue playing this old under valued version of Elite until the day I die. Wooohooo!
Let's see what happens. Now I can finally fly only for More Kills! The Point of Elite.
________________________
Edit2/add2: I could not go to sleep despite I must be awake for work. I played little more. One Fact is now confirmed about Elite Plus. Hit counter has it limits: 65536 (256 x 256). I got Real rank again by normal Competent Promotion on 74 Hits. I feared this possibility. Anyway... Its rather easy remember how many times you're made full round and it is easy calculate your total hits... after every 65536 hits. Hehe.
"Commander [Add your EP Commander's Name here]! How many times you've Demoted by GalCop?"...
GalCop seeminly use 80' era computer machinery for registering pilots Hit Points!
"I'm Competent. I'm Competent!"
Hmm... Let's see do I get Missions again. At least Archangel Title is still there. Good Night. Sorry about Spammy adds. No Raxxla or The 9th Galaxy tonight.
