In your GalCiv3 folder (in the Steam folder) look in data/Game for ShipComponentsDefs.xml. Look for the following:

<ShipComponent>
    <InternalName>BasicLifeSupport</InternalName>

Scroll down to

<Stats>
      <EffectType>ShipRange</EffectType>
      <Target>
        <TargetType>Ship</TargetType>
      </Target>
      <BonusType>Flat</BonusType>
      <Value>6</Value>
    </Stats>

and lower the value.

I haven't tried it, so I'm not sure what what values are ideal. After that section you will need to edit the range values for the other range components. In case you haven't done any xml editing before, only use a text editor. There are some pretty powerful xml editors put there, but I use Notepad++ a fee to use editor. And always backup the original.

I do agree with you that exploration and exploitation come too easily.

Thanks for that lesson, DARCA. I'll have to look at it.