According to our current understanding of physics, nothing can travel faster than the speed of light in a vacuum. The speed of light in a vacuum is considered to be the cosmic speed limit.
When we talk about the expansion of the universe, it is important to note that it is not the expansion of objects within space that is exceeding the speed of light, but rather the expansion of the fabric of space itself. This expansion is known as the metric expansion of space.
The metric expansion of space is a fundamental concept in cosmology, supported by various observational evidence, such as the redshift of distant galaxies. It suggests that the space between galaxies, clusters of galaxies, and other large-scale structures is continuously increasing with time.
The expansion of space does not involve objects moving through space at speeds faster than light. Instead, it is the expansion of the very fabric of space itself. The rate of this expansion is described by a parameter known as the Hubble constant, which measures the rate at which galaxies appear to be moving away from each other.
While the metric expansion of space can cause two distant points to move apart from each other faster than the speed of light, it's important to understand that this expansion does not violate the principles of special relativity. This is because the expansion of space itself is not constrained by the same limitations that apply to objects within space.
It's also worth noting that the expansion of space is a concept that applies to the large-scale structure of the universe. On smaller scales, such as within galaxies or even within our own solar system, other forces like gravity dominate, and objects can move relative to each other at speeds below the speed of light.