Wow, are you from 2013 or something? I've came back from 2015 and the only thing what REALLY changed is getting prime parts, ship expansion and different star map.
You should explore your ship (just X anything you can to get to know about the machine.)
Let's call everything a machine now, will make it easier to explain.
In the main room (Where you can see out of a window) there is a codex machine, which shows you some information including quests and relics. There is also a market machine where you can buy a lot of things for platinum. (not recommended by me, except for the item