The generic title for any method of space travel that allows a spaceship to travel to the stars within the lifetimes of those waiting on planetary surfaces. The actual method of FTL travel is left up to the individual author as is the level of detail which they use to describe it. Most just tend to treat FTL as a 'black box' - e.g. '"engage the hyperdrive!" the captain ordered'. Others, like David Weber, give a fairly detailed view of how their system is purported to work.
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