Faster-than-Light Technology

Faster-than-Light technology (colloquially known as FTL) is technology that allows space-faring vessels to travel faster than the speed of light, allowing for interplanetary travel in a reasonable time-frame.

Pre-FTL Technology
Prior

In the mid-2100's, near-lightspeed travel was achieved.

Side Effects
FTL travel is not without it's risks, beyond of course accidentally jumping into the middle of a planet or star. FTL jumps have a compounding deleterious effect on all matter.