Ok, I believe I've got everything all worked out now. Here's a proven and tested guide to all of Nova's upgrades to date. These aren't always the only way to get these upgrades, but they're the ones that worked for me.
Change Appearance / Form / Outfit (Level 3)
WHERE YOU NEED TO BE:
Onboard your ship
WHAT YOU NEED TO WEAR:
Nova
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Chat and chat with her for about 12+ hours a day until midnight, then sex her and go to Sleep. Repeat this routine for a few days. After that, tell her to Stay and she’s now accessible from the Crew menu. Start chatting with her until she eventually learns to assume other specific forms. At the end of this scene you’ll get a notice in bold text: “You can now Customize Nova’s appearance!”
Swimsuit (Level 4)
WHERE YOU NEED TO BE:
The Beach ‘n Surf on Tavros Station, and then at the Beach.
WHAT YOU NEED TO WEAR:
One-Piece Swimsuit
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Show up wearing Nova, then purchase and switch into the One-Piece Swimsuit (this boots Nova back into your carried items inventory). Next, unequip your Upper and Lower Undergarments. Now just talk to her until she decides to join you in the pool and learns to make herself some swimwear in the process. At the end of this scene you’ll get a notice in bold text: “Nova has learned how to change into swimwear!”
Helmet / Airtight (Level 5)
WHERE YOU NEED TO BE:
Myrellion and onboard your ship
WHAT YOU NEED TO WEAR:
Armstrong Space Suit (either Azure or Ultraviolet)
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Go to Myrellion and visit Liriel at her stand, "The Little Green Man", in the northwest corner of Mushroom Park in Gildenmere. Purchase one of the Armstrong Space Suits and then go back to your ship. Put it on and make sure that Nova is in your carried items inventory, then talk to her. She’ll be curious about the suit and shape herself to mimic its abilities. At the end of this scene you’ll get a notice in bold text: “Nova has learned how to create a helmet!”
Cold Protection (Level 6)
WHERE YOU NEED TO BE:
Uveto
WHAT YOU NEED TO WEAR:
Nova
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Go to the northeast corner and purchase a Welcome Basket from Tlako, then head back to the landing bay (or some unoccupied space on this level of the space station). Talk to Nova and she’ll get curious about the Thermal Pack that’s contained in the Welcome Basket. After grabbing it for some examination, she’ll learn to mimic its effects. At the end of this scene you’ll get a notice in bold text: “Nova can now protect you against cold hazards.”
Healing (Level 7)
WHERE YOU NEED TO BE:
Onboard your ship.
WHAT YOU NEED TO WEAR:
Not be wearing Nova (but she’s in your carried items inventory)
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Talk to her while you have at least 10x Vials of Gray Microbots in your Inventory. She’ll examine and consume them. At the end of this scene you’ll get a notice in bold text: “Nova has learned how to heal minor injuries!”
Expose Specific Body Areas (Level 9)
WHERE YOU NEED TO BE:
Tarkus
WHAT YOU NEED TO WEAR:
Rogue’s Rags (this is the cheapest and easiest option, at least)
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Drop in to see Shekka and buy the Rogue’s Rags for 400 credits. Go back to your ship and swap Nova out for the Rogue’s Rags and then start talking to her. She’ll be intrigued with your new outfit and learn to mimic its exposed properties. At the end of this scene you’ll get a notice in bold text: “Nova has learned how to make exposed armor--although it may come with some minor drawbacks!”
Greater Defense (Level ANY)
WHERE YOU NEED TO BE:
Myrellion, the Deep Caves, Queen Taivra's Palace
WHAT YOU NEED TO WEAR:
Nova
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Defeat the Crystal Goo Incubator, then allow Nova to examine/sample her after combat. This adds +2 Defense and the Mirrored damage resistance flag to her. There’s no special notice at the end of this scene.
Electric Resistance and Bonus Shields (Level ANY)
WHERE YOU NEED TO BE:
Uveto
WHAT YOU NEED TO WEAR:
The Akkadi Armored Depthsuit (but Nova’s in your carried items inventory)
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Defeat Janeria in the Deepsea Research Facility (nearly next door to the Steele Tech office on the planet). Afterwards, Nova will pop out to examine things and get her upgrades. The scene’s title is Armor Upgrade.
Nursedroid (Level ANY)
WHERE YOU NEED TO BE:
Mhen’ga, at the Medical Office
WHAT YOU NEED TO WEAR:
Have Nova in your carried items inventory
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Interact with V-Ko and you’ll see an “Upgrade Nova” button that costs 10,000 credits. At the end of this scene you’ll get a notice in bold text: “Note: The Medical abilities are charged by giving her cum and girl cum.”
