Topic: Kernal Research
With the focus to "make industry more accessible for newer players" I'm surprised that the kernal system didn't get any love. The kernal mechanic is likely the largest obstacle for newer players to build non-tier 1 items.
What about a simple tech tree mechanic (similar to many skill-tree mechanics in other games) that allows players some ability to guide where their research points go? Second - allow players to progress down a research line faster by researching higher tiers of a specific item once they've completed researched the lower tier. (Without having to research the entire line of T2 items of a specific race.)
For example - If a player wanted to first research up the Medium Missile launcher tree, they could devote all of their kernal "points" to working on T2 missile launchers, then T3s, then T4s.
To keep it somewhat difficult - you could countinue to tie the type of kernals to the type of equipment. (I.e. Green Mech kernal "points" are still needed for Med Missile launchers)