Superluminal (SL) drive

The main form of FTL travel is something known as the SL (SuperLuminal) drive. This was given to humans by the Tarvarkians and Gylarians after their defeat of the Somakians in 2125. The SL drive is the only known way to travel faster-than-light in Known Space, and every ship both military and civilian is equipped with SL drives. The SL drive was first discovered in 458 BC by the Trondyte species, and the technology quickly spread to the rest of the galaxy. As of 2441 SL drives are the only form of FTL travel and are equipped with almost every starship manufactured in the galaxy. SL drives are also equipped in starfighters, allowing them to travel through hyperspace without needing to dock with a capital ship (though they're range is typically much shorter than an average starship). There are two types of species, the type that was given SL drive technology by either the Trondytes or another species, and the type that discovered Ancient SL drive technology on their own.