Hyperspace is a concept that originated in science fiction and is used to describe a faster-than-light method of interstellar travel. In science fiction, hyperspace is often portrayed as a place of higher dimension through which the shape of our three-dimensional space can be distorted to bring distant points close to each other. There are two common models used to explain this shortcut: folding and mapping. In the folding model, hyperspace is a place of higher dimension through which the shape of our three-dimensional space can be distorted to bring distant points close to each other. In the mapping model, hyperspace is a parallel universe much smaller than ours, which can be entered at a point corresponding to one location in ordinary space and exited at a different point corresponding to another location after traveling a much shorter distance than would be necessary in ordinary space.

It is important to note that hyperspace is generally seen as a fictional concept and is incompatible with our present-day understanding of the universe, in particular, the theory of relativity. However, in the Star Wars universe, hyperspace is an alternate dimension that can only be reached by traveling at or faster than the speed of light. Hyperdrives enable starships to travel through hyperspace, allowing them to move across the galaxy faster than would be allowed by traveling through ordinary space. According to Star Wars lore, hyperspace works by performing special calculations to ensure that during the trip, the ship will not collide with anything.