Investing in a Space station
 

What exactly do you get out of investing in a station? I invested in one and only noticed an upgrade screen. Do you get a return in credits later on or a better selection in equipment?

Also on business stations there are projects you can invest in. Do you get anything out of those?

If I understand, you chose to "agree to take part in the development of" their base. As far as I can tell, this allows you to add/remove equipment and use your experience to train their crew. And that is all.

Investing in projects at business stations causes the creation of a new station. The cost of each successive station (of the same type?) increases (doubles?).

The player does not benefit financially from either option. I even put a Gripper on one to see if they would grab nearby loot thereby repaying me somewhat for all my expenses. They didn't.