What does Channeling ability mean?  I am sort of thinking it means that the ship has to keep doing it for it to be working instead of just activating and then leaving, is this true?

Also, I noticed using the Akkan and Progenitor to colonize that their special abilities take some time to take effect...the extractors and cost reduction...if I clicked to build the extracts/upgrades will the ability take effect and give me back my money or did I just lose it?  If so, can it be made to activated faster? I like to upgrade as soon as I get a planet.