According to our current understanding of the universe and the principles of general relativity, objects and information cannot travel faster than the speed of light through space. However, the expansion of the universe itself is not constrained by this limitation. The expansion of the universe does not involve objects moving through space faster than light but rather refers to the stretching of space itself.
The concept of the universe expanding faster than the speed of light can be a bit misleading. It does not mean that objects within the universe are moving away from each other at speeds exceeding the speed of light. Instead, it means that the space between distant objects is increasing at a rate that can be faster than the speed of light.
Currently, the prevailing cosmological model suggests that the universe is undergoing a period of accelerated expansion known as cosmic inflation. During this phase, the universe expanded at an extremely rapid rate. However, it is important to note that this rapid expansion occurred in the very early stages of the universe's existence.
As for the future of the universe, the rate of expansion is a topic of ongoing research and debate. If the current acceleration persists, it could potentially lead to a scenario where distant galaxies move away from us faster than light. However, it's crucial to understand that this does not imply a violation of the speed of light limitation or that the galaxies themselves are exceeding the speed of light. It merely reflects the expansion of space between them.
Regarding the duration of the universe's existence, it is currently unknown. The ultimate fate of the universe depends on various factors such as the amount and nature of matter and energy in the universe, the rate of expansion, and the influence of dark energy. Scientists continue to study these aspects to gain a deeper understanding of the universe's past, present, and future.