According to our current understanding of physics, it is not possible to exceed the speed of light in a vacuum. The theory of special relativity, developed by Albert Einstein, states that the speed of light in a vacuum is an absolute constant and cannot be surpassed by any object or information. As an object with mass approaches the speed of light, its energy and momentum increase dramatically, making it increasingly difficult to accelerate further.
Additionally, the theory of general relativity, also formulated by Einstein, describes gravity as the curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy. According to general relativity, massive objects, such as stars or planets, curve the surrounding spacetime, causing other objects to follow curved paths. This means that gravity affects the motion of all objects, including those traveling at high speeds.
Therefore, based on our current understanding, it is not possible to exceed the speed of light without being affected by gravity. These fundamental principles of physics have been extensively tested and supported by experimental evidence. However, it's worth noting that scientific knowledge and understanding can evolve over time, so our understanding of these concepts might change in the future.