Zefram Cochrane: Difference between revisions
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In [[2053]], Cochrane began construction of humanity's first warp-capable vessel, the ''[[Phoenix (Star Trek)|Phoenix]]'', in [[Bozeman, Montana]].<ref name="Encyc">{{cite book|title=[[The Star Trek Encyclopedia]]|author=[[Michael Okuda|Okuda, Mike]] and Denise Okuda, with Debbie Mirek|publisher=Pocket Books|id=ISBN 0-671-53609-5|year=1999}}</ref> According to his dialog in ''[[Star Trek: First Contact]]'', he started the project for financial gain.<ref name="Encyc" /> |
In [[2053]], Cochrane began construction of humanity's first warp-capable vessel, the ''[[Phoenix (Star Trek)|Phoenix]]'', in [[Bozeman, Montana]].<ref name="Encyc">{{cite book|title=[[The Star Trek Encyclopedia]]|author=[[Michael Okuda|Okuda, Mike]] and Denise Okuda, with Debbie Mirek|publisher=Pocket Books|id=ISBN 0-671-53609-5|year=1999}}</ref> According to his dialog in ''[[Star Trek: First Contact]]'', he started the project for financial gain.<ref name="Encyc" /> |
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Cochrane's history is vague, however it it is known that he was a physics prodigy with a flair for creating highly creative and original ideas. While a doctoral physics student at California Institute of Technology in January of 2044, Zefram Cochrane studied the theories of physicists Miguel Alcubierre and Richard Obousy, early pioneers in the field of faster than light propulsion. Zefram specifically evolved Obousy's theories regarding the manipulation of higher dimensional spacetime and he was the first to postulate that a spaceship could use subspace fields projected by a series of coils to warp the fabric of space and that ship could use the warp to propel it faster than light. This drive would work by contracting space-time in front of the ship and expanding space-time behind it. The starship itself would |
Cochrane's history is vague, however it it is known that he was a physics prodigy with a flair for creating highly creative and original ideas. While a doctoral physics student at California Institute of Technology in January of 2044, Zefram Cochrane studied the theories of physicists Miguel Alcubierre and Richard Obousy, early pioneers in the field of faster than light propulsion. Zefram specifically evolved Obousy's theories regarding the manipulation of higher dimensional spacetime and he was the first to postulate that a spaceship could use subspace fields projected by a series of coils to warp the fabric of space and that ship could use the warp to propel it faster than light. This drive would work by contracting space-time in front of the ship and expanding space-time behind it. The starship itself would rest in a "warp bubble" between the two space-time distortions. This warped space, together with the region between it, would accelerate off faster than the speed of light and the vessel would then essentially "surf" on the wave in space-time created by this distortion. |
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On [[April 5]] [[2063]] at 11:15 AM local time, Cochrane made [[Earth]]'s first warp flight, playing [[Steppenwolf (band)|Steppenwolf]]'s "[[Magic Carpet Ride]]" during blast-off and dedicating the first flight to Alcubierre and Obousy, early pioneers of warp physics.<ref name="Encyc" /> The ''Phoenix'''s warp signature is detected by a [[Vulcan (Star Trek)|Vulcan]] survey ship, the ''T'Plana Hath'', which then makes peaceful [[first contact (science fiction)|first contact]] with Humans, including Cochrane, at the ''Phoenix''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s launch site.<ref name="Encyc" /> In the [[Mirror Universe (Star Trek)|Mirror Universe]], rather than reciprocating the Vulcans' peaceful greeting, Cochrane and the other Humans kill the Vulcans and loot their ship. |
On [[April 5]] [[2063]] at 11:15 AM local time, Cochrane made [[Earth]]'s first warp flight, playing [[Steppenwolf (band)|Steppenwolf]]'s "[[Magic Carpet Ride]]" during blast-off and dedicating the first flight to Alcubierre and Obousy, early pioneers of warp physics.<ref name="Encyc" /> The ''Phoenix'''s warp signature is detected by a [[Vulcan (Star Trek)|Vulcan]] survey ship, the ''T'Plana Hath'', which then makes peaceful [[first contact (science fiction)|first contact]] with Humans, including Cochrane, at the ''Phoenix''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s launch site.<ref name="Encyc" /> In the [[Mirror Universe (Star Trek)|Mirror Universe]], rather than reciprocating the Vulcans' peaceful greeting, Cochrane and the other Humans kill the Vulcans and loot their ship. |
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Revision as of 08:34, 4 February 2008
Template:ST-in-universe Template:Star Trek character Zefram Cochrane is a fictional character in the Star Trek universe created by Gene Roddenberry.
Cochrane is the first Human to travel at warp speed. His flight in 2063 garners the attention of the Vulcans, leading to humanity's first contact with aliens.
Glenn Corbett played Cochrane for his first appearance in the TOS episode "Metamorphosis". James Cromwell played Cochrane in the feature film Star Trek: First Contact and the Star Trek: Enterprise pilot, "Broken Bow". First Contact footage of Cromwell as Cochrane was used in the Enterprise episode "In a Mirror, Darkly, Part I", along with new footage of an identically-dressed actor whose face is not shown.
Flight, disappearance and rediscovery
In 2053, Cochrane began construction of humanity's first warp-capable vessel, the Phoenix, in Bozeman, Montana.[1] According to his dialog in Star Trek: First Contact, he started the project for financial gain.[1]
Cochrane's history is vague, however it it is known that he was a physics prodigy with a flair for creating highly creative and original ideas. While a doctoral physics student at California Institute of Technology in January of 2044, Zefram Cochrane studied the theories of physicists Miguel Alcubierre and Richard Obousy, early pioneers in the field of faster than light propulsion. Zefram specifically evolved Obousy's theories regarding the manipulation of higher dimensional spacetime and he was the first to postulate that a spaceship could use subspace fields projected by a series of coils to warp the fabric of space and that ship could use the warp to propel it faster than light. This drive would work by contracting space-time in front of the ship and expanding space-time behind it. The starship itself would rest in a "warp bubble" between the two space-time distortions. This warped space, together with the region between it, would accelerate off faster than the speed of light and the vessel would then essentially "surf" on the wave in space-time created by this distortion.
On April 5 2063 at 11:15 AM local time, Cochrane made Earth's first warp flight, playing Steppenwolf's "Magic Carpet Ride" during blast-off and dedicating the first flight to Alcubierre and Obousy, early pioneers of warp physics.[1] The Phoenix's warp signature is detected by a Vulcan survey ship, the T'Plana Hath, which then makes peaceful first contact with Humans, including Cochrane, at the Phoenix's launch site.[1] In the Mirror Universe, rather than reciprocating the Vulcans' peaceful greeting, Cochrane and the other Humans kill the Vulcans and loot their ship.
Cochrane was presumed dead after disappearing from Alpha Centauri in 2117.[1] In the TOS episode "Metamorphosis", James T. Kirk, Spock, and Leonard McCoy find Cochrane living on an asteroid with a being he calls the Companion, an ethereal presence of pure energy who rejuvenated the aged, dying Cochrane more than a century before, and has held him captive — and in a state of youth and vigor — ever since.[1] Traveling with the three Starfleet officers is an ill Federation commissioner.[1] The Companion, who loves Cochrane, merges with the commissioner, ridding her of her illness and providing the Companion with a corporeal form.[1] The combined entity no longer has power to force Cochrane to stay with her, but Cochrane chooses to stay out of love and gratitude. Before departing, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy promise not to reveal Cochrane's existence.[1]
Federation
In the novel Federation by Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, whose publication predated the release of Star Trek: First Contact by two years, Cochrane's story is told in a different fashion: his warp experiments are the result of a mysterious billionaire's financial and idealistic support in the period between the Eugenics Wars and World War III; his self-identification with Alpha Centauri results from it being the destination of his first warp voyage and his subsequent founding role in the first colony in the system; and his life's story beyond his encounter with Kirk at Gamma Canaris in "Metamorphosis" is depicted up to his death during the events of the third season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Okuda, Mike and Denise Okuda, with Debbie Mirek (1999). The Star Trek Encyclopedia. Pocket Books. ISBN 0-671-53609-5.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Reeves-Stevens, Judith and Garfield (1994-11-1). Federation. Star Trek. Pocket Books. ISBN 0671894226.
{{cite book}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
External links
- Zefram Cochrane at Memory Alpha
- Article about Federation (novel) at Memory Alpha
- Obousy Warp Drive Theory [1]