Etherine

Category:Resources
Rare state of fluid matter-energy used in critical command systems.
Used in: Starship bridge modules (progressively more Etherine as the size increases)
(spoilers!)
 
Common sources: Salvage from enemy hulls (Explorer class and above, but particularly the Brogidar, purchases from Trade factions on the cheap (e.g. Ermyr Defenders, Island Traders).
Remarks: As with Neutronium, the value needed to accumulate even small counts of Etherine is not small. In the early game it's suggested to sell unneeded Etherine for any needed Gold / Yttrium / Chiralite, etc. Savvy players may also observe that as there's nothing stopping a ship designer from researching Dreadnought Hull and then skipping straight from an Explorer bridge to a Dreadnought bridge, the extra +15 Etherine can be set aside by budgeting. Excess Etherine above a total of 30 units can be sold to the CXTA (or to the Guild, if the CXTA aren't yet trading).