And to that end, I've proposed, more than once, a single-use, strap-on range-extension module - Give me something I can use to hurl myself out 1000 or 5000 or 10,000 Ly - one way, once, and I'll find my way home full of data.
I remember something very similar from Star Trek - a sort of detachable long-range booster that was left behind... but can't remember if it was an episode or one of the movies this was used in.. but something along these lines would be great for those wishing to set out to the farthest stars.
Alternatively, a "Frame Shift Super Charging" facility would work - pull up, send a request via your Comm panel, just like you would request docking at a station, maneuver your ship into position and the facility emits a beam that pushes your FSD beyond safe limits - akin to a Neutron star boost, just with a more dramatic range increase, allowing for one really long range jump at the cost of considerable Frame Shift Module degradation - perhaps a 60-70% degradation to the module.
I would also put in, as a restriction on access to this, that a Permit be granted by Professor Palin, ensuring you complete your 5k Ly trip the same way everyone else has had to do so prior to being able to make use of this.
At over 500 knots.
