Always drill for materials on inhabited worlds. These worlds also will give you the chance to learn about alien technology and refill your oxygen. Previously translated alien keywords will automatically be understood again if encountered later. However, you can manually take a note of what they mean in case you die and lose that ability. By doing so, you will be able to make a more informed decision about a choice that requires alien translation. Note: Starting a new game may randomize the language, so words will be different between playthroughs.
Drill and probe setting
Your ship's drill and probe are required to get resources, repair equipment and craft new items. Set them to "7" when scavenging for materials in order to preserve their integrity.
Fuel
Harvest and store as much fuel as possible, and keep at least two cargos of it in reserve. If you obtain the technology to harvest stars, you will have no trouble maintaining fuel. If possible, use technology to scan each planet for the resources it has available. When you are well stocked on resources, do not bother harvesting planets with poor resources as you may spend more fuel than you gather. Try limiting the fuel spent to 5 or 6 and if you get a lot of resources, expend the same amount the next time. If not, only use 3 or 4 fuel on your next attempt. Always try to produce more fuel than you waste.
Iron
Iron is used for crafting, repairing your ship's hull, and fixing damaged ship modules. Always keep four units of iron in reserve for those uses.
Jumps
Avoid jumps that will put you out of range of the next planet on the map in order to avoid backtracking from dead ends.
Technology
Be selective with what technology you use. Although the ability to harvest suns is useful for fuel, a more useful one allows you to see what kind of planets are in a star system. That way you can target anomalies and breathable planets, while staying away from black holes if you do not have the technology. This allows you to save fuel and know exactly the elements you can collect.
Upgrades
Always switch to larger ships when they become available. However, most new ships you encounter will lack important equipment that will make it difficult for you to explore. Transfer all the resources you have on your current ship to the new ship, dismantle all the equipment on your old ship, move it to the new ship, then rebuild the equipment on the new ship.
Alien planets...