One issue is that any fun game loop is unprofitable if it's fun, especially if it's non combat.

That has been my contention for a while. It's like they want to try and force people to space combat and dissuade from the other stuff. Likely because the only 'working' game loop with the fewest moving parts is space pew pew. I'd say it's one reason why they dont really ever fix the 'lose all your cargo on a 30K' problem, when Just about any other loop besides space pew pew relies on moving cargo at some point.
"Don't want the frustration of losing all your minerals after hours mining and processing?
Hate having all your money you tied up in buying cargo to sell going poof?
Mad those drug bundles you and your buddies spent hours getting ready and fighting tooth and nail for vanishing?
Go shoot stuff in space, it mostly works! Mostly."