In something like Star Trek, you can say 'this ship can achieve Warp 6', which sets a specific limit on how fast that ship can go (depending on which warp scale you're using, which is a different matter). Does there exist a similar scale for Star Wars? Specifically, are there any limits or standards imposed on hyperspeed? I know the movies imply that anyone can travel anywhere instantaneously, whereas the EU tends to make journeys take days or even weeks. The only reference to hyperspace speed is Han's ".5 past lightspeed" which obviously doesn't make sense. Is the speed of hyperspace travel dependent entirely on the whims of the writer?
asked Jan 24, 2017 at 17:28
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2I really doubt this question isn't a duplicate, but I couldn't find anything that answers this question on this site.– DaaaahWhooshCommented Jan 24, 2017 at 17:28
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"The only reference to hyperspace speed is Han's ".5 past lightspeed" which obviously doesn't make sense" Sure it does, if we interpret it to mean 1.5x lightspeed (from the point of view of an observer outside of hyperspace who doesn't take relativity too seriously)– Lightness Races in OrbitCommented Jan 24, 2017 at 17:32
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They are able to go thousands of light years in a matter of hours. I don't know if the speed can really be measured– CHEESECommented Jan 24, 2017 at 18:06
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Ludicrously fast.– void_ptrCommented Jan 24, 2017 at 18:28
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1 Answer
According to http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Hyperspace, this is kind of a loaded question.
Hyperspace is an "alternate dimension", which could only be reached by going to light-speed. However, once in hyperspace, the ship would travel through wrinkles in the fabric of real space to reduce journey time significantly.
So, by traveling 1.5 x the speed of light, Han made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs...which might refer to he was able to travel at high enough speeds within Hyperspace, that he actually traveled between two points in space through Hyperspace, gathering up enough folds and wrinkles in hyperspace that the trip only took 12 parsecs
So... it's kind of like you're asking how fast can Jack O'Neill travel through the Stargate. Theoretically, according to the show, he could walk at 1 MPH and make it to the other side of the galaxy in a few seconds.
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I really don't like that answer... but it appears to be accurate. If nothing better comes along, I'll accept this. Commented Jan 24, 2017 at 19:24
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Sorry about that. The EU might have had more answers but...it's gone now.– DrewCommented Jan 24, 2017 at 19:30
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Yeah, I'm reading the 'Legends' section of the link you provided, and it looks like it was a lot closer to warp-travel back then. But if it's teleportation now, then I guess that's what it is. Commented Jan 24, 2017 at 19:34
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I don't think it's as much teleportation as wormholes...with branches...– DrewCommented Jan 24, 2017 at 19:36
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it "took 12 parsecs" is really misleading. parsec is not a measurement of time but space. It's like saying "my trip took 12 miles", or "the flight towards the sun took 1 AU" Commented Jan 25, 2017 at 10:59