You skipped part of the tutorial. This can happen if you go against the on screen directions.
Here's a few steps to get you the transponder ability.
1. Go straight forward to the debris feild
2. Use thebsalvage ability
3. Press f5 to quicksave. This will triger a pirate ship to spawn and attack you.
4. Fight the pirate. It's an easy fight and you should be fine even while learning the controls.
5. After the fight, quicksave again by pressing f5
6. You will receive a level and be prompted to press C to open the character screen. Once you close out of the character screen, you will receive the plot hook text and unlock the sustained burn ability.
7. Plot a course to the friendly planet. As you get close, you will now unlock the transponder ability, and instructions how to use it.
Now you should be good to go off the rails a bit if you want. The rest of the tutorial is not as easy to break. It can be done though if you really try....