Dark Energy as Vacuum Equilibrium

We propose an interpretation in which dark energy corresponds to the equilibrium state of the vacuum itself, understood as a continuous spacetime substrate endowed with mechanical tension. Matter, radiation, and gravitating structures are interpreted as localized departures from this equilibrium. This perspective unifies dark energy, matter, and gravitation within a single physical framework, introduces a characteristic sub-millimetric vacuum scale, and naturally removes spacetime singularities. Possible connections with a condensate description of the vacuum are discussed.