Thanks for your interest. A big update is in active development; it'll be the first 'game-like' build instead of being a tech demo. As such, you should expect to see a survival-style game mode with rudimentary menus for control mapping and graphics.
As of last week, the functionality for stealing stuff from NPC ships is more-or-less ready. Currently, I'm developing a formation-based NPC AI that will form the backbone of space combat. Instead of coming at the player in masses or waves, they'll exercise caution and force coordination commensurate with a threat like the monstrous General Purpose Machine.
Also in the works is a "toy" astrophysics implementation that seamlessly integrates realistic phenomena like moving planets and Hohmann Transfer-esque maneuvers with 'arcade'-style flight physics. Don't expect it to see it in the next build, but it's a thing that's happening eventually.
As for resource mining, there are plans to add a heavy 'kernel' to asteroids that make them impractical to use as armor, but which yield raw materials if destroyed. It's certainly not intended to be a main method of progression; "ratting" and wanton piracy are more the game's style.
Whatever the case, there'll be a new demo on September 8th or 9th with everything developed up to that point. See you then!