Returned after a series of personal issues and I am confused.

[Mrdrboi]

After being unable to play for awhile due to personal issues I come back and I am confused on how to progress. As now there are checklist I have to do to progress to the next planet. When I left I was doing stuff on Jupiter. With this new system do I have to back track to lower leveled content to unlock stuff to progress now? Are the objectives needed to progress able to do within the planet series of missions? 

[Extroah]

If you already have the Planets unlocked then you can do the Junctions to get some extra goodies and Mastery (if i'm correct on that one). If you don't have a Planet unlocked yet then you unlock it by doing said Junctions. 

 

[aheavysigh]

If you haven't unlocked the planet junctions up the Jupiter, then yes, you will have to backtrack if you want to rewards, but you should keep any progress you made. As for the "checklist," all items will be done on that planet's series of missions unless otherwise stated. (There are a few that involve beating the boss of a different planet, for instance.)

[Sophista]

Welcome Tenno! I returned from almost 3 year hiatus.
I completely understand that feeling you have.
All i can suggest is, take it easy, and do all junctions and their objective (which will reward you with some stuff and new quests)
and then do them quests (oh boy are they fun!)
Blue node on star-chart means you still need to finish it.
If possible, join Clan, community in game will help you and answer any questions.

if you need any help. find me in game under same name.
:)