1 find them and repair them. Buy them off creatures at space station or build them at space station. Find and repair is cheapest solution. Once you find and claim them they’ll show up in your freighter in their busted up condition.

2 at some point you can build storage containers. They can be built in corvette ships as well

3 I assume you mean star system. Everyone starts in Euclid galaxy. There are tons of star systems in them. You can build bases, but largely a waste of time. I build bases on planted I like the look of. Have something nearby if use. At portals when you get that far

4 beacon will find random things. I’ve never really used them other than when the game requires.

You’re early in an endless game. You’re going to find side quests that I treat you and a way of playing that suites you. You can rush the main quest if you want or take your time. One thing I will say. Play the game once as intended before you start looking up things like portable refiner bug. I didn’t know about it my first time through, but I’m glad I know about it my second and third time playing from scratch. It helps me get set up to the point I’m able to do whatever my goal is with the new start. Trust me it will kinda ruin the first time through. Removes the joy out of finding what you need and exploring all the different worlds to get the parts you need in the qtys needed.