According to the theory of relativity, as formulated by Albert Einstein, the speed of light in a vacuum (c) is an absolute speed limit in the universe. As an object with mass approaches the speed of light, its relativistic mass increases, and it requires more and more energy to accelerate it further. As a result, it becomes increasingly difficult for an object with mass to reach or exceed the speed of light.
As an object with mass accelerates, its velocity gets closer and closer to the speed of light but never actually reaches or exceeds it. This is due to the dilation of time and contraction of length at relativistic speeds, as described by the theory of relativity. The closer an object's velocity gets to the speed of light, the more time dilation and length contraction occur, making it progressively more challenging to achieve any further acceleration.
From the perspective of an observer traveling with the object, it would require an infinite amount of energy to accelerate a massive object to the speed of light, which is not physically possible.
Therefore, within the framework of our current understanding of physics, an object with mass cannot reach or exceed the speed of light in a vacuum.