Just started to venture into the Jupiter Gate on Saturday... was getting my arse handed to me by those jellyfish looking spacecraft; I can manage to take out one and get a second down to maybe half HP, but then I get destroyed trying to do the Barkman quest). Maybe I should start using the shield and HP packs.
Judging by the icons, the currency looks to be fame and bronze / silver medals. The medals you should already know how to get, as they are on the quest board.
And yeah, I know I should go out and explore more, but it's a matter of dedicated time for gaming. I'll usually just pop on, collect my taxes, play my concerts, upgrade a building and research, maybe a quest, and harvest. A few minutes at a pop... not bad, all considering. Oh, I've also been busy making myself known on the chat boards, hoping then that the higher ups won't farm my colony.
Tuesday I'll try to explore a bit more; I'll be getting home by 6pm, and the wifey will be at work. My dealings on Lacuna Expanse will just have to wait is all.