Prehaps add a button or some HUD marking that indicates the direction of your momentum. Only when not using Assist mode, of course.

Thats one of the things that makes not using assist mode difficult. Everything cant be told to you, you are supposed to go by sight. Plus, if you need to go somewhere, it doesnt matter which way you are currently going. You just accelerate in the direction and you rmomentum will change.

you can see this with the 'space trash' floating by