Defending your new base

So, you just started off on Nova, and now you are setting up your next base. How do you properly defend this base?

Since we're all around level 10 right now, the best way to do this is as following.

Step 1: Get your OS to the new base.
Step 2: Make sure you send a corvette with it.
Step 3: Build the base, give it a name, and go to the structures tab.
Step 4: Build 5 metal refineries, adding both urban structures and plants when needed.
Step 5: BEFORE building anything else, build 1 level of missile turrets. This will prevent you from becoming very profitable.
Step 6: Get some shipyards running, and build 3 fighters, at least.
Step 7: Build spaceports to start trading.

Step 7 can be done whenever you want it, but preferably as quickly as possible to increase your economy. You just have to make sure to follow the first 6 steps when building a new base. When you are a little bit further in the game, you can use a carrying unit, like a frigate, to bring fighters to your new base from the get-go.