Cosmic Exploration progression is poorly handled

[Ardeth]

And that is absolutely fine. In fact, I'm doing exactly the same - I will farm (not the best word, but I don't have better) currency to get what I want. Like with fates. Like with other content gated by any currency.
And while doing all that, I'll help progress little story of rabbits going to space (pity not the pigs, but oh well). And we'll see when we get to go when we build our starship.

And I bet it's the same for most of players.

Getting up in arms and upset about it - just why?

I'm not upset. I'm just disappointed in it. It could've been so much better.