The speculation is that at some point in development you’d be limited in travel distance by fuel reserves and from that outposts would be vital to extend your supply lines. It was apparently just not very fun so they scrapped the need for fuel entirely and with that outposts lost their primary in game function.

I finished the latest in the series “If this Book exists you’re in the wrong universe”. Really fun summer time read.

Guaranteed they’re coming in a dlc down the road.