You will need to colonize planets; a single planet is completely insufficient.  The level of technology you're limited to is based on the number of research labs you have.  Each planet can only support a limited number of structures, and after factories this leaves insufficient room on your homeworld.  You'll need to expand to become more advanced.

you need to colonize these planets first using colonizer frigates or colonizer capital ships (TEC Akkan, Advent Mothership, Vasari Jarrasul)

colonize these planets then use the interface/menu to the lower right corner to access such things like planet upgrades, logistic upgrades (for orbital facilities) and such