Hi. Love the series, and also love hardcore strategy multiplayer.
I was skeptical to the lack of simultaneous turns, but must say the turn by turn system works nicely, at least up to 4-6 players (the rest can be AIs, and the AI actually works for MP in this game and is getting better unlike Civ5 Vanilla at least). Will give Stardock credit for implementing a system where you can do whatever you like during the wait times, included the ship designer. Light years better then how Civ5 implemented turn by turn gameplay in MP.
But I agree with you that there are some lackings; a turn timer a la Civ 5 with longer and longer turn time limits the longer out in the game you are, and no turn time limit at the first turn (for setting up) would be nice indeed. Might come longer down the road. Rome wasn't built in one day. 
NB! We really need an own dedicated multiplayer forum category to discuss and plan out for longer games (over many days) a la the Europa Universalis 4 forums. Stardock; this you can implement easely at once. 
