[mr_mitm]

Is there a way to slow down using fusion bombs? Even if you manage to bring thousands of fusion bombs with you? Sounds like this is only a sensible approach for sending probes, which will then zip by their target at huge speeds.

[xavxav]

you just need to speed up in the opposite direction by flipping around and firing bombs on the other side.

[ajuc]

Which means if we get discovered by an alien probe it will look a lot like getting on the wrong end of a nuclear war.

I remember there was a quote from some sci-fi universe that there's "no such thing as an unarmed space ship".

[arethuza]

I believe that is the "Kzinti Lesson" from Larry Niven:

"A reaction drive's efficiency as a weapon is in direct proportion to its efficiency as a drive."

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WeaponizedExhaus...

[froh42]

If you can get any kind of spaceship up to speeds to reach other stars within reasonable time - you've got an amazing weapon. Just ram into something at full speed. Ok, if you have enough energy to correct course to aim, only.

[RangerScience]

It’s more than twice(1) as easy to make a rocket-propelled bullet than a rocket-propelled vehicle!

1) It’d be exactly twice as easy but for Tsiolkovsky!