Space

‘Star Wars’ holds clues to making speedier spacecraft in the real world

Engineers are exploring propulsion methods that could enable longer-distance travel

A futuristic illustration of two figures, one seated at a screen and the other walking with a holographic device in its hand. Spacecraft fly by in the distance.

Perhaps someday spacecraft will be able to take humans beyond the solar system.

GLENN HARVEY

By Aaron Tremper

Pilots in Star Wars enter a dimension, hyperspace, to travel between distant worlds.