A cochrane unit (or simply c or cochrane) is a unit of measurement, specifically to quantify subspace distortion. The basis of the scale establishes that one cochrane is when an object with positive mass can be propelled at the speed of light through a vacuum. Accordingly, less intense distortions can be measured in millicochranes. In terms of propulsion, the effects of warp engines on a starship are usually translated into warp factors. The cochrane unit was named for Zefram Cochrane, the Human scientist who created Earth's first warp engine in 2063. The warp factor scale (original cochrane units) was redefined in the year 2312 when an exponential curve was used to create a system where warp 10 represented infinite velocity (modified cochrane units). (TNG reference: Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual, ST reference: Starship Spotter)
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