Is there a list explaining how skills/attributes work?
There are clear ones, such as structure, energy, etc.
But what about things like "Radar"? is that to allow detection of stealth enemies? does it make scanning planets/stuff faster?

I think starting a compilation or Wiki where this is given is important.
For example, I would've guessed that better Radar will make the stealth enemies/races visible closer, the mines/traps that are hard to see more visible and such - but I have no idea if this is actually the case.