Daily Curiosity

Star Wars · Question

What is the name of the Imperial space station that appears in Episode VI?

Answer

Death Star II

The story behind the answer

In Return of the Jedi, the partially built, larger successor orbits Endor, with a working superlaser but an unfinished hull and a shield projected from the forest moon. That distinguishes it from DS-1 Orbital Battle Station and “Death Star I” (the original destroyed at Yavin) and from an Imperial Star Destroyer, which is a capital ship, not a space station.

Palpatine used the new station as bait to trap the Rebel fleet, revealing a full legion on Endor and a fully operational superlaser. Many Bothans died to deliver its plans, enabling Lando Calrissian and Wedge Antilles to lead the strike that detonated the main reactor—ending the Empire’s superweapon ambitions (at least for a time).

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