[ibol]

Different races do indeed pay more or less for data, and it also varies by sector. There are some quests that require large amounts of data. But its main purpose is indeed to keep you flying (money!).

Mentioning crafting, maybe something like "moonstones in the grinder" in borderlands TPS... interesting...

Or, I've just created "experimental weapons", so maybe a certain amount of data could force an experimental weapon to be made...?

Or, exchange data for "crafting manuals", which permanently increases your base crafting level... oh, the possibilities.

[EDIT] 20 minutes later...
OK, I ran a simulation of using data to improve crafting, with a max of 133% of your base level. cost increases per level increased.

you have DATA=0 , your base crafting level =88
you could increase it by #levels=0

you have DATA=30578 , your base crafting level =88
you could increase it by #levels=18
which would cost data=31768

you have DATA=387998 , your base crafting level =88
you could increase it by #levels=29
which would cost data=64680
i had to stop becuase i reached the 133% limit