I think you need to
EDIT by Goober5000: read the next post first if you don't want to be spoiled
record enough containers in the cluster closest to you so that Zeta 1 asks that you scan one, then go to the other cluster, record any gas miner, then you should be set.
Honestly though, I hate this mission with a passion - I've run into 2 separate bugs while playing it, and it's bad enough when it is working properly.
Thanks for the kind words. :) Here are some hints in order of spoilerage, with the second-to-last one telling you what you probably missed, and the last one telling the requirements to proceed:
You don't need to record all the ships, just enough to give a general sense of the situation.
"Alpha, there are a large number of logistics vessels conducting operations near the secondary cluster. Do not neglect them in your reconnaissance."
You probably didn't "record" the gas miners that are coming and going from the second cluster.
In order to proceed, you need to a) learn that there are two cargo clusters, b) scan a SAC 3 containing volatile gas, and c) learn that there are a large number of gas miners present.
EDIT: ninja'd. I marked off a spoiler in This's post.
It's not intended to be frustrating; it's supposed to be a puzzle.