Hyperdrive

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This article is about a hypothetical method of space travel. For the BBC TV series, see Hyperdrive (BBC TV)

Hyperdrive is a name given to certain methods of traveling faster than light in science fiction. Related concepts are jump drive and warp drive.

1 The "Theory" of Hyperdrive
2 Characteristics of Hyperdrive
3 Examples of Science Fiction With Hyperdrive
4 External links

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The "Theory" of Hyperdrive

Generally speaking, the idea of hyperdrive relies on the existence of a separate and adjacent dimension most commonly called "hyperspace," though "Zero-space" ( or "Z-space")" "otherspace," "slipspace" "n-space" "subspace" and "The Warp" have also been used. When activated, the hyperdrive shunts the starship into this other dimension, where it can cover vast distances in an amount of time greatly reduced from the time it would take in "real" space. Once it reaches the point in hyperspace that corresponds to its destination in real space, it re-emerges. Usually, hyperdrive refers to a method of travel in which it takes a measurable amount of time to go from one point to another. When the distance is covered instantaneously, the term jump drive is often used.

Explanations of why ships can travel faster than light in hyperspace vary; hyperspace may be smaller than real space and therefore a starship's propulsion seems to be greatly multiplied, or the speed of light in hyperspace is not a barrier as it is in real space. Whatever the reasoning, the general effect is that ships traveling in hyperspace seem to have broken the speed of light, appearing at their destinations much quicker and without the shift in time that the Theory of Relativity would suggest.

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Characteristics of Hyperdrive

While in hyperspace, starships are typically isolated from the normal universe; they cannot communicate with nor perceive things in real space until they emerge. Often there can be no interaction between two ships even when both are in hyperspace. To people traveling in hyperspace, time typically moves at its normal pace; 24 hours in hyperspace equates to 24 hours in real space. Hyperspace itself may appear as swirling colors, total blackness, or as something that would drive a human mind insane should it be viewed.

In much science fiction, hyperdrive jumps require a considerable amount of planning and calculation, with any error carrying a threat of dire consequences. Therefore, jumps may cover a much shorter distance than would actually be possible so that the navigator can stop to "look around" -- take his bearings, plot his position, and plan the next jump. The time it takes to travel in hyperspace also varies. Travel times may be in hours, days, weeks or more.

Hyperdrives allow for drama in science fiction, because ships with hyperdrive can typically only interact with other ships while in "normal space". The chance of two ships appearing in deep space to take a navigation bearing at the same time is infinitesimal. Therefore, hyperdrive ships will encounter each other most often around contested planets or space stations. Hyperdrive may also allow for dramatic escapes as the pilot "jumps" to hyperspace in the midst of battle to avoid destruction.

In some science fiction, hyperspace travel is portrayed as potentially dangerous due to the chance that the route through hyperspace may take the ship too close to a celestial body with a large gravitational field, such as a star, or a blackhole. In such scenarios, if a starship passes too close to a large gravitational field while in hyperspace, the ship is forcibly pulled out of hyperspace and reverts to normal space. Therefore, certain hyperspace "routes" may be mapped out that are safe, not passing too close to stars or other dangers.

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