Works, too. I never try to escape -- just keep on defending those transports. It feels like a more heroic way to end the game.
I do that sometimes too. First time it happened, I ran. 80 Juggernauts around the sun, I knew there must've been a supernova coming. I think I made it the first time. Not sure. Since then there's been plenty of times that I've failed.
But regardless, I never get within 2 or 3 km until the Nova hits. If you're not playing the mission, what's the point of playing at all? If all a person does is parks their fighter and watches what happens, why not just quit freespace and put in a movie instead? You'll be doing the same thing, not participating, but at least it'll be entertaining to watch.