While not quite as exciting as blasting across the cosmos, fighting space pirates, living dangerously on the edge, and risking death at every moment. Just going around to safe and calm stations and repairing other space ships sounds a lot more safe and not death-inducing! Additionally also a lot more profitable and being able to meet others in a more kinder setting!
Also, botany even with the addition of space isn't really going to cause any exciting adventures on its own, unless you're as interested in it as Mezza and with research!

being lazy also encourage this sort of thinking XD