Hyperspace
Hyperspace is a fictional alternate universe in which some conventional laws of physics -- especially general relativity -- do not apply. Hyperspace is used in many sci-fi universes, including Star Wars, as a way to travel faster than light.
Hyperspace in Star Wars
Starships in Star Wars use hyperdrives to enter hyperspace. The exact nature of hyperspace is largely unknown, but there are various ideas as to what it is, such as:
- Hyperspace being another dimension of space, one where the lightspeed barrier is non-existent
- A parallel universe
- Simply the way the universe is viewed when traveling faster than light
Hyperspace in Babylon 5
Starships in Babylon 5 accomplish interplanetary and interstellar journeys by traveling through hyperspace. In B5, hyperspace is essentially a separate universe that ships can enter or exit through vortexes opened by jump gates or jump engines. Hyperspace essentially creates shortcuts between locations in real space, because the distance between equivalent points in the two universes is not the same. Hyperspace is mostly empty of matter, but it is filled with energy moving in random ways that can make navigation difficult; ships must follow routes carefully mapped and marked with beacons or risk becoming lost.
A hyperspace vortex or jump point is one-way when created; ship's cannot pass through a given vortex in both directions. A single ship can create a vortex for many others, but the ship creating the vortex must be the last one to pass through it.
Hyperspace in Stargate
Entry into hyperspace is achieved when a vessel opens a stable hyperspace window. This allows a vessel to enter subspace and achieve faster-than-light velocities relative to real space whilst traveling at sublight speeds within its own layer of subspace. In this state, they can fly from one point to another in a relatively straight line. Entering and maintaining hyperspace velocities apparently requires an enormous amount of power; the Asgarth must use all of there power capabillitys in order to stay in flight.
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