Wow. Giant annoying bug that had me repeat to make a new character because I was CONFUSED BEYOND REASON.
It all started with me noticing that the OUtpost shops (emphasis on the ones that sell colony deeds) were not yet unlocked post-Erchius Mining Facility mission, so I wondered and checked the wiki; convinced that I was working on partially outdated-maybe information, I asked a friend for a few colony deeds (thanks namad7). Curiosity aside, I completed the next Hylotl mission (unspoken hours to find these annoying places, both Floran and Hylotl...). No dice. Several points arose in why I made a new character on this confusing escapade.
It was then that I noticed that despite finishing the Mining Facility--even getting a bloody Erchius boss FIGURINE from it, it kept saying 'revisit'. One point. Next is that quests go along what you accomplish at certain points. (Also internet searches didn't help me find my confusion) I presume and conclude that there is a flag at the 'giant drill' in the mining facility that completes the quest, however does NOT allow those store NPCs to activate in the outpost.
Big point: There is always a teleporter at the end of most missions.
I apparently did NOT notice the teleporter and manually quit. Although this set the mission as successful for quest-related purposes, meaning that the Captain then fixes up your ship and you can cruise the stars, it does not record your win--EVEN STEAM ACHIEVEMENTS RECORD YOUR WIN, but you always have to visit the end-mission teleporter.
Just ARGH this game. -_- Wasted time making a new bloody character for this only to notice my mistake upon doing it. All over again. Argh version 1.0.ugh and all its cut-offs. Still love the music but EURGH. It's like the release has changed, with a lot being pushed to metaknowledge and 'mod this for easier time'.