I have no problem with exposed thrusters. Nor do I have a problem with some sort of non thruster propulsion device that can be buried under armor. Players will adapt. It reminds me of submarines: they needed snorkels so the diesel engines could breathe… until nuclear power was used and the “engines” could be buried under water. People adapt. A flying saucer with all the thrusters aimed at the center is a cool idea I have been playing with.
oh that, he is talking about JETS specifically. They cannot work in space with no intake and air pressure. Thrusters are anoher matter entirely.