Imagine we have a faster-than-light drive which costs ~$250,000 USD per drive and can propel an ISS-sized craft at 1000 times the speed of light. It is reliable and has safeguards that stop it from plowing into things at high speed. How the FTL drive works is irrelevant; it could be an Alcubierre drive or powered by lalalaicanthearyouium.
The drive has its own included fuel/power supply which, for all intents and purposes, is infinite. (eg: unlimited or easily replenish-able, etc.) Additionally, this universe has no FTL communications other than mail carriers fitted with FTL drives.
Would there still be any value in building and operating (optical/radio/whatever) telescopes for (e.g.) locating exoplanets, studying stars, etc.?
Would telescopes be gradually retired and replaced by exploration ships?
