Technology

The overall aesthetic is cassette futurism. Vulnerability to ionising radiation severely limits the use of hyper-advanced technology in space. Hardened devices outwardly resemble late 20th-century electronic appliances and are usually designed to perform a single function. For some reason, they also tend to be beige.

Androids

So-called synthetic life forms are a common sight for spacefaring crews. They may even be crew members, though they're classified as freight for tax reasons.

Androids do not consume oxygen, but they do need a pressurised atmosphere to function properly. They can survive for a few minutes in hard vacuum; by comparison, most humans pass out after about 10 seconds and die shortly thereafter.

The majority of androids are easily recognisable as such; even the more life-like models generally have a “tell” making it obvious they’re not human. Their bodies are pseudoflesh grafted to a titanium-alloy skeleton, whilst pseudomilk performs a function analogous to blood in humans. An android's logic core is usually situation in its head.

Androids are legal entities (technically "persons" according to the letter of the law) in a manner similar to a corporate subsidiary. They draw a salary and may own property. Once irrepairably inoperable, as certified by a qualified cyberneticist, all such possessions revert to the legal entity that owns the "deceased" android.

Artificial gravity

Humans and androids need gravity to remain healthy and productive. Gravity plating provides an anaemic form of localised artificial gravity that feels vaguely like a commercial airliner flying through intermittent minor turbulence.

Communication

There is no faster-than-light communication. Messages are transmitted by laser (line of sight) or radio broadcast.

Cryostasis

Humans held in cryostatis do not consume oxygen and age very slowly. Hangover-like symptoms (slow reflexes, difficulty concentrating) often follow extended periods of cryostatis. Stimulants can help to mitigate these effects, which otherwise last for up to a week.

Androids can power down for a comparable length of time, but may be stored in cryostatis pods for safety and convenience.