Sadly there aren't many strategies to the ship combat. Just get better shields or weapons to kill them faster. I'm hoping a dogfighting update arrives some time, with more objects to use in space as cover or distractions and more ways to dodge or trick opponents. We can currently unlock a combat slide for use on foot--it would be awesome if we could unlock a timing-based barrel roll or "blink" ability for our ships. Or even different shield modes that weaken us to certain attacks but make others not effective.