In response to questions about colonisation on Steam. Here is my answer here (for everyone else)
Colonisation 101
Step 1: Find a suitable planet you want to colonise. All systems on the map will have a colonisable world of some sort. (Uninhabitable systems aren't included on the map.)
Step 2: Send the Colony Ship, it'll take a bit longer as it will, upon being given the order, have to round up people for the colony, as well as perishable supplies. (Equipment is either already in storage, or part of the ship which is disassembled on establishing a colony.)
Step 3: As one might expect, landing the colony ship. Once landed the colonists will begin assembling the pre-built colony kit. (Metaphorically. It's assumed a colony ship will be designed in such a way as to facilitate easy disassembly into a prefabricated colony including power and water purification.
Step 4: Civil administration begins colony flights sending out people there. X amount of time later, the "Colony" is a fully fledged world. The tech level is good enough that a year is generally enough for a productive colony to be established.
Special Note: Naturally, random events can throw all sorts of wrenches in the works :p Or even lube up the process. (Finding a native population of sapient beings willing to join your nation is a huge jump-start.)
Extra Important Note.
For people who want to know. A GM "Status" post in the IC = a 'turn' for each turn 1 IC month has passed. This will include how many points you have to spend on troops, fleets, defences and the like (from the pdf.)