First of all, Here's how to put system info in your sig
1) Except for that little trick, onboard ship operations such as guarding an area.
2)Because.
3)Hmm...while it is possible to land on buildings, I wouldn't reccomend it.
4 and 4a)No and no. Wait for XP1.
5) Yes, hit "O" twice, then "k" until the display in the radar reads "HMN", then hit "m". Once you move the display will disapear, so you could use the TTU(I think that's what it's called, hit the "P" key to activate) and then click on the hostile marines/objects.
6) Because you can access these from TacOps, and you can't deploy troops or mining drones without a shuttle. It's puzzled me why they aren't at least accessible from the bridge, however...
7)What? There isn't a question 7? OK, you can stop reading now.