Simply put, make the basic operating skills (Aethercraft (Chair), Empathy (grid), Battle (Turret)) available without putting any lessons into the skill tree. I know it's an insignificant amount of lessons to get all three (like, 10, 15ish) but for people who can't get a ton of credits, it would allow them to still experience and get a feel for it without burning valuable lessons.

Just an idea.

Seven. Seven Lessons to get basic usage. If someone can't afford 7 lessons just try it out, they should QQ and cry themselves to sleep.

The bigger reason why people don't go into aetherspace is not that they can't afford the basic commands, it's 1)They can't afford a ship, 2)They can never get a full crew together, and 3)The rewards in aetherspace and pitiful compared to the time, effort, and annoyance of trying to get them.

QFT.

See, Serenwilde? If you hadn't gotten Aetherspace nerfed, we would all be rich demigods right now.