There are 3 types of abilities and a ship or structure can have max 1 of each of these types at once.
Actions can only have a single ability, which is similar to the played ability found on ships and structures.

Played abilities are effects that are resolved the moment a card enters play.

Automatic abilities are repeated once every turn, at the start of that turn, for as long as the card to which the ability belongs remains in play.

Activated abilities need to be activated by the player. Often, there is an energy cost involved in activating an ability.

The effect of an action card is similar to the played ability found on ships and structures, as it resolves the moment the action is played.