Thought I'd ask, as I know Into the Storm gave new options, and the core book mentioned that higher level ships than Cruiser 'won't be detailed in this book, as they are available only to the most affluent of Rogue Traders'. Does this mean there will be an Ascension style book for going past the highest rank in the near future?

Cruisers will probably be in Battlefleet Koronus, which is a rulebook dedicated to starships. It's the next book due to be released. Profit and Plunder doesn't indicate anything similar to Ascension.

I`d expect an Ascension-like book not within the next 12-24 months, seeing as Ascension was released only a short while ago.

Yeah, I'd like rules for Battleship class ships. Maybe not for the players to own one, but for them to come across xeno constructs or ships of that size.

Not likely.

Would really just like to see a 40k revised that covers all three titles, gives us one psyker system. maybe the back of it could have a combined campaign that would include characters from all three to give a decent example of how this could be done.

Hmm, a revised edition might be nice, but I wouldn't count on it. Just something to take RT to a slightly higher level would be nice - while I adore RT, it always rubbed me the wrong way when things say 'Rogue Traders are the equals to Inquisitors', yet by the rules, RTs lose their one upside (they're better because they can afford next to anything) as soon as Ascension hits in. And especially with Battlefleet Koronus coming soon, would be nice to have some extra +10%'s to stats, boosted skills and the like. =)

Heck, my current GM is even thinking of throwing in Ascension alongside RT, if we get that far.

No, they aren't better because they can afford anything, because it's well known that Inquisitors can often afford anything too. The difference is that Inquisitors have, theorectically, unlimited power within the Imperium, but technically have none outside the Imperium, where as Rogue Traders are bound by law inside the Imperium, but are almost entirely free outside it, unlike any other Imperial citizen.

Also, as you can see in the release schedule, Battlefleet Koronus is all about spaceships and the like, not characters.

I know; hence why we're adding on some basic Ascension houserules. Would be nice to have some battlecruiser level stats, to go with them new battlecruisers. ;D

Calligos Winterscale has a (surprisingly low-armoured) Avenger-class grand cruiser in Edge of the Abyss, which straddles the border between battleships and cruisers. I'd be truly surprised if we didn't see something on that scale at least.

That said, no sign of anything that adds to the characters on the horizon, vis a vis an Ascension-styled book. I've been working on a house project to add alternate career paths in a similar manner to Dark Heresy for the Rogue Trader characters, but some of the classes - Astropath in particular - are difficult to distinguish multiple paths for.