Actually they can.On our server I had my modder make weapons platforms around a nomad planet,and he wanted me to shoot one for testing purposes.As an admin on said server with my admin ship I said "sure,why not"......
Needless to say I lasted about 15 seconds,and that was with a mk3 Liberty dread,mk8 cap armor,AND admin shields will a full load-out of 1200 botts and batts.
so...yes...it CAN be done,at least for the weapon platforms and dockrings....trade lanes...I wouldn't want to do.