Torsion

From a lore perspective, DU has several centuries of technology advancement over real-life, plus whatever was done by the AI on the journey to Alioth. Currently weapons systems are VERY far behind in proportion to the other technology present in DU (Warp Drives, Pocket-Dimension-Based Storage, Teleportation, Respawning by using alternate-realities of the avatar, etc.) We have all of this, but current weaponry consists of lock-and-fire elements with less range than their real-life counterparts.
 
IMO space-faring ships should not use voxels as armor, as the weapons fielded by Noveans in space should theoretically be able to atomize anything they touch. 
The railgun is an example of a real-life weapon capable of punching through just about anything. One (or five) fielded in space would easily turn a borg cube into a block of swiss cheese just from shear ballistics alone, not including whatever exotic properties a railgun made with 2500s tech would have. Lasers, not limited by atmosphere, would be able to melt anything the beam touches. Also turning your borg cube into swiss cheese.
 
Because of this, I believe that shields should be the only practical form of structural defense in space. Your objective in constructing a combat ship would be to maximize shield health and efficiency while balancing power distribution between the shield and your armament, because once the shield is depleted, you and your ship are done.
 
This would eliminate the borg-cube constructions from a practical perspective, but would still allow diversity in how you design your ships, because weapons are able to easily destroy it without a shield no matter how much material you slap on the core.  
 
For atmospheric engagement, armor would be more effective due to atmospheric properties negating the use of railguns and lasers, as laser energy dissipates and railguns are damaged from the munition being heated by the atmosphere. This would limit armament to cannons and missiles, both of which would do substantial damage but not enough to disable a ship quickly.
 
This gives armor a purpose, protecting bases and atmospheric ships, but eliminate the practical use of it in space.
 
In order to stop borg cubes from being the imminent ships in atmosphere, NQ would need to make aerodynamics more of a thing, right now if you slap enough engines on a ship it will fly, but if you make them very hard to maneuver, they would be outclassed by more aerodynamic ships.
 
 

Id love to see them open up a handful of blocks that correspond to some elements. Keep the collsion box the same or larger than the stock item and allow people to custom design a "skin" for that item that changes how it looks even if not its function or properties. I could see a huge market for custom engine skins.

I believe that the box crafts that you see fighting in space will stay in space. Keep in mind that there are no planet-based restrictions in space. Once planet PVP is a thing, ship designers will have to address gravity, atmospheric resistance, terrain, and anything else that NQ adds to planets by that time. In space you can fly a cannon box, but in atmosphere you're going to need something resembling an actual ship, so you don't crash. 
 
I agree that the safe zone should stay PVP free, that way new players can get acquainted with the game without worrying about being blown apart. As for the campers, DU needs more time and players to combat this effectively.  Once there are enough players, with enough investment in the planets (Player-owned markets, Org outposts, etc.) These players will make defending the outer well of their planets a priority. For now, the campers are just something you'll have to evade, unless you have a large org with which you can coordinate the defense of any players leaving. 
 
 

It has become apparent soon we will be able to battle each other in Dual Universe. Our weapons are being forged as we speak, and usher in a new era. This era is filled with mysteries and woes the likes of which DU has never seen. However in the dark mist of the unknown has come a light. The light of the All Father, and his vision to our Master Architect over what is to come. The light shows us what we are to do. When the first days dawn on Alpha 3, the Third age of DU, New Genesis will position itself near the Space that is contested. From there, we will launch our first crusade.

The First Crusade

This crusade will aim to cleanse the conflicted lands of its dreadful blight... and burn away the non-believers like the cancer that they are. In a vision our Lord has sent to us a sign... to claim the Lands of War as our own. In it we will place a Shrine to his Majesty and we will endeavor to protect it daily... If it falls down we will build it again... if we are defeated like a great Phoenix we will rise from the ashes. The Holy Chosen of the All Father will know NOT the pain of defeat or fatigue of failure. We are charged in keeping his Holy Land Pure, and protected from the filth of the non-believer to which we shall not Fail.

Sharpen your swords Brothers... load your rifles... and warm the engines of our behemoths of war. The opening salvo of the First Crusade are upon us, and Non shall survive our Purge!