Sublight speed and hyperspeed are both terms commonly used in science fiction to describe different levels of faster-than-light travel. However, it's important to note that these concepts exist primarily within the realm of fictional universes and do not have direct counterparts in our current understanding of physics.
Sublight speed refers to speeds that are slower than the speed of light in a vacuum, which is approximately 299,792 kilometers per second (or about 186,282 miles per second). In science fiction, sublight speed is often used to describe the speed of conventional spacecraft that travel within the bounds of special relativity, where the speed of light serves as an absolute cosmic speed limit. While sublight speeds can be incredibly fast and allow for interstellar travel within reasonable timeframes, they still fall short of surpassing the speed of light.
On the other hand, hyperspeed typically refers to a concept where spacecraft or objects can travel faster than the speed of light. In science fiction, hyperspace is often depicted as an alternate dimension or a shortcut through space that allows for faster-than-light travel. Hyperspeed is portrayed as a means to overcome the limitations imposed by special relativity and enables near-instantaneous or significantly accelerated travel between star systems or even galaxies.
As hyperspeed surpasses the cosmic speed limit set by the speed of light, it is generally considered faster than sublight speed. However, the specifics of hyperspeed vary across different fictional universes, and there is no universally defined speed or mechanism associated with hyperspace travel. The concept of hyperspeed is primarily a narrative device employed in science fiction to facilitate interstellar or intergalactic travel, and its properties are subject to the rules and constraints established within the particular fictional setting.