well, you can do whatever you want, but at that point, you are out of np(newbie protection)
so then you are open to attack from empires within range of your current power
before going out there make sure you have:
a stable economy (posistive income)
all ship reasearch completed
and either no planets you wont mind loosing OR, explore very quickly for borders to protect what planets you have that wou wish to keep
after coming out of np, or 5k protection, and being attacked and most likely loosing, you will then recieve (if enough damage is done) DP (damage protection) which will last 24 hours or until you build a hostile ship(any ship class except for scouts and starbases)
and make sure you have borders (planets you dont mind being taken) on top of your good colonies before your dp runs out, or you choose to go out and attack someone
good luck