Thanks guys!
Clydewinder, that's a good question. In other words, my HUD would have been affected. I'll have to check for that if this happens again. Come to think of it, this might have been the time I was attacked on my way to a basic data delivery mission, so it could be that the windshield was out.
By the way, concerning my growing pains into this game - I have restarted and decided to stay close to the Baker's Prospect area as I get my space legs. I took a mission from there and then returned there just for the navigation and docking experience. Gonna start off nice and slow with lots of breaks to get un-frustrated.