Keeping in mind just how much the use of drones and VR was increasing and becoming commonplace at the beginning of the 21st century (especially in comparison to the 1980's) I am surprised so many people are upset with the implementation of the SLF which is so short ranged that the communication loop wouldn't be a problem.
Telepresence over tens of thousands of light years between things as small as ships is a different degree of problem for the suspension of disbelief.
