Faster-Than-Light

Faster-than-light or FTL refers to the propagation of matter that travels faster than the speed of light. In accordance with the special theory of relativity, a particle (that has rest mass) with subliminal velocity needs infinite energy to accelerate to the speed of light, although special relativity does not prohibit the existence of particles that travel faster than light at all times (tachyons).

In the Warhammer 40,000 faster-than-light travel is the primary method of long-distance transportation in the known galaxy. This advanced technology allows for passengers to travel faster than the speed of light to traverse immense distances of interstellar space in a reasonable amount of time.

Notable Methods of FTL Travel

 * Dolmen Gates - Living stone portals that serves as a gate into a portion of the Webway created by the Old Ones. Dolmen Gate technology was first developed by the Necrons with the aid of a C'tan.
 * Gravitic Drives & Gravitic Hooks - These technologies are utilised exclusively by the Tau for interstellar travel.
 * Inertialess Drive - A propulsion system utilised exclusively by the Necrons which is capable of interstellar travel without the need to enter the Warp.
 * Narvhal - The Narvhal is a unique Tyranid bio-ship that allows Tyranid Hive Fleets to traverse interstellar space by warping space-time between the origin and destination star systems without the need for entering the Warp.
 * Warp-Drive - This technology takes the form of devices integrated into spacecraft used by many intelligent races for interstellar travel by actually entering the Warp.
 * Warp Engines - Warp engines are the uncertain and erratic technology utilised by the Ork race to make use of warp travel. Many of these warp engines are rebuilt from the ruins of salvaged Imperial warp drives, while other are bizarre contraptions built around the disembodied brains of Ork Weirdboys.
 * Webway - An extra-dimensional space partitioned off from the Immaterium millions of Terran years ago by an extremely advanced xenos species known as the Old Ones. Today, it is utilised by the Eldar of the Craftworlds and their Dark Eldar counterparts for faster-than-light travel.