Yeah, I'm running into the same issue. I'm not sure if it's a bug or if I just don't fully get the new system. But I agree, I often see the button light up, I click it, and get a bunch of zeros which is confusing.
Colonies and interstellar travel sounds awesome, but based on KSP1 would be out of reach to most players who are unable to get past the Mun. Are you planning on sharing statistics of how many people make it to the different celestial bodies, maybe through achievements?