Recon Outpost-
destroy it and recover a transmission giving the coordinates of the 3 closest encounters regarding power and distance.
Upgrade Outpost-
destroy it and recover tools and parts giving +1% to either hp or attack of your lead fleet used in attacking it. once that fleet has 0 ships left in it, the bonus goes away. for instance, you attack successfully and get a +1% upgrade to hp. a few days later nightguard

comes along and destroys that ship. when you resupply it, it no longer has that bonus.