The shatter effect is pure evil!
Nice engine glow too.
I might have a solution for your dying planet.
Over at
www.foundation3d.com there is an awesome ViperMK1 available for download.
It comes with a planet that seems to be more of a strange lighting effect than a solid sphere. Maybe it can help you with the planet effect you're going for.
Here's the link.
http://www.foundation3d.com/index.ph...&p13_fileid=98
You have to be a member there (its free) to download though.
I figure that since you use LWO you already know this. LOL!