hyperdrives

A hyperdrive is a fictional propulsion system used in science fiction to enable faster-than-light travel by circumventing the normal speed limit set by light. In many depictions, a spacecraft enters an alternative dimension, such as hyperspace or a subspace channel, which shortens the effective distance between two points in space.

Operationally, hyperdrives are typically activated to plot a trajectory, require a large supply of energy, and rely on precise navigation to align with the destination. Travel consists of a jump into the chosen transit space, followed by exit at designated coordinates. The precise mechanism varies by work, with some descriptions portraying a localized pocket of altered physics and others a continuous tunnel through a higher-dimensional region.

Real-world physics does not currently support proven methods for faster-than-light travel. In fictional settings, hyperdrives impose a range of engineering and logistical challenges, including immense energy demands, the need for accurate navigation to avoid hazards in transit, potential risks of temporal or spatial distortions, and the possibility of getting stranded if the route is blocked or damaged.

In literature and media, hyperdrives serve as a common plot device to enable rapid interstellar movement, underpinning spacefaring civilizations, exploration, and conflict. Despite their popularity, hyperdrives remain a speculative concept, distinct from more theoretically grounded ideas such as warp drives or wormholes, which appear in different fictional or theoretical contexts.

See also warp drive, hyperspace, jump drive, wormhole.