Hyperdrive

The hyperdrive is one of four known FTL technologies, and the only FTL technology used by non-Emorian species.

The hyperdrive allows vessels equipped with it to breach a semi-separate dimension of space-time, called hyperspace, permitting FTL travel along particular routes, or hyperlanes, clear of obstacles and which permit undisrupted travel. These hyperlanes must be mapped before entering regular use.

The invention of the hyperdrive is seen as a major achievement in a civilzation's history, and is used by many advanced civilizations as the benchmark for contact with less-advanced civilizations.

The earliest known inventors of the hyperdrive were the Emori, who purportedly invented the hyperdrive approximately 20,000 years ago. However, this technology is no longer in widespread use by the Emori; instead three other technologies are used: subspace traversal, the jump drive, and the gateway.

A timeline of the hyperdrive's invention by the species of the galaxy is presented below:
 * 20,000 years ago: Emori
 * 1750: K'Taknor
 * 1847: Qu'Vab
 * 1857: Reapers (likely earlier)
 * 1895: Renjathvix
 * 1904: Thimoid
 * 1906: Provalguvor
 * 1928: Sibulan
 * 2004: Caloctora
 * 2021: Shantari
 * 2058: Gorf
 * 2067: Volkara
 * 2068: Khessam
 * 2080: Yalon
 * 2153: Vailon
 * 2177: Rackuddon
 * 2204: Grikolk
 * 2212: Sirgogg
 * 2238: Mekh'LeS
 * 2252: Menitraniat