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The Hyperdrive is a literary device used in science fiction stories as a means of faster than light travel. Although there has been some research into the idea, inspired by its fictional treatment, hyperdrive technology remains improbable from a scientific point of view. However, without some form of hyperdrive, travel between stars would take decades or centuries, greatly limiting the scope of stories. Because of this, hyperdrive is an accepted convention in science fiction.
Forms of hyperdrive differ from one fictional universe to another. Some forms of hyperdrive are instantaneous, but the majority are merely very fast. The most common explanation for hyperdrive states that there is an additional space or additional dimension. This space either has a higher speed of light, or is "smaller", than our own space. The hyperdrive shifts a starship into the alternate space or additional dimensions, and sometimes also provides motive force in that realm. This alternate space is often known as "hyperspace" although other names do exist. In some stories it is possible for objects or events in real space to affect hyperspace, and vice versa.
Alternative names suggested include "jump drive" and "warp drive".
Examples of creative works using the "hyperdrive" or "warp drive" concept include:
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