As you clear warp gate blockades, you'll unlock connections that allow you to travel to different star systems.
The star map shows all the warp gate connections in the galaxy and how powerful each star is.
As you get closer to the core, the stars'tech levels will increase.
Beware of traveling to a star with a level well beyond your own.
The more dangerous a star is, the more red its icon will be.
If a star is beneath your level, it will be green, while yellow means your levels are evenly matched.
In addition to the tech level, there are many defining features of a star system.
Most important is the Civilian and UTA relationship with you.
Your actions can change these relationships, altering how they respond to you, and what missions are available.
Your relationships do not carry over from one star to another.
Every new star you come across will have an untainted (but not necessarily hospitable ) opinion of you.