Death Point

So, I am currently laying down in the fetal position as I type this. I am a new player, 70 hours in. I had my first settlement skirmish with the sentinels, and died, TWICE! Lost everything in my exosuit inventory. I didn't know you wouldn't get it back. All those hours of grinding resources gone, POOF! I am going to lie here a bit longer I think. Hard lesson NMS, hard lesson!

So my question is, how should I play this next time around? Any tips are appreciated.