not really sure if this is where i post this or not, but the forum instructed me to post this here, even though im not sure its a true bug since it seems to only be affecting my game.
Any turret I build will not target and attack enemy ships. I have saved my turret and sent it to other players who report it works just fine for them, so I am now sure that I am not just building them wrong.
turrets both in single player and online multiplayer seem unable to attack.