Subspace static is a phenomenon in subspace that caused distortions in subspace communications by interference. One source of subspace static was the warp engine of starships, in which case the interference was also called Cochrane distortion. (TNG: "Ménage à Troi" ) In 2366 while captured by the Ferengi, Commander Riker sent the USS Enterprise a signal disguised as subspace static. (TNG: "Ménage à Troi" )