I've just been getting back into the game. I really like the direction this expansion is taking -- I always felt like what the races needed was more individual flavor.

Anyway, I have been playing as the Iconians and for a very long time I couldn't add more than one +X% to research/economy/production module to my starbases. I think I was only able to once I traded for some technology (I couldn't tell which one, since I had just traded for a number). Am I right that the Iconians can't do this on their own? If so, what technology is needed?