Remember Starfield apparently took 25years and that was with a fully functional studio.  Star Citizen in 2013 was 7 guys and a gal, working out of a California garage. CIG were not only developing 2 games, but a studio ( now across 5 counties), a game engine,  deep game lore,  ground breaking technology in the form of server meshing, no loadingscreens. When SC will be nothing like any game anyone has ever experienced  

 Fun times as usual 

https://rumble.com/c/c-361547
Or 

https://odysee.com/@thedarthtux:f?view=content 

 What are your PC specifications?  What's your network speed? Is it over ethernet cable or wifi? Was IAE going on when you were playing?

I play SC regularly and actively in the testing  environments of the alpha, (so even more buggy and exponential than the live build) on Linux and crashing to desktop is rare from my experience. 

8hr+ stream with other Linux users 
https://rumble.com/v3wl31p-star-citizen-lug-meetup-iae-2953.html

Siege of Orison (here I had to quit and go back in becauseI got trappedin a shuttle that clippedI to another):
https://rumble.com/v40j6ba-star-citizen-diaries-naade-vs-crusader-ships-of-the-siege-of-orison.html

Full history of playing SC
https://odysee.com/@thedarthtux:f?view=content 

 48k down-payment?  That's a steal, at the rate house prices have exploded. In cities like LA, London,  Paris, Toronto etc, houses are far beyond what the average person can afford! And rent is no better. 

The Lagatus pack maybe a more affordable investment 😅