Hyperspace

Hyperspace (called darkspace by the Yuuzhan Vong) was an alternate dimension of the space-time continuum used by starships to achieve faster-than-light travel that could only be entered at faster-than-light speeds using a hyperdrive. Hyperspace was coterminous with realspace, with a unique point in realspace being associated with a unique point in hyperspace. While a number of aspects of hyperspace remained mysterious to astrophysicists and astrogation experts, it was clear that hyperspace shortened travel times, allowing starships equipped with hyperdrives to cross light-years in a matter of minutes. Consequently, hyperspace travel was the backbone of galactic society, commerce and trade, politics and warfare.

Text and facts from the “Hyperspace/Legends” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.