AboutGreg Bonkowski Expertise I can answer pretty much anything when it comes to the Luke Skywalker, the Jedi Knights, the history of the Jedi Knights, and other characters and incidents throughout the Star Wars saga. I am also interested in the technical aspects of the Star Wars saga. I like to think of myself as both a historian and an archeologist of the time period that took place in a galaxy far, far away.
Experience I have been a Star Wars fan since the time my father took me to see the first movie when it was released in 1977. I have read practically every book that I can get my hands on, and I keep up to date with production of and the stories behind all five films(six if you count the next one to be released.) I am pretty much interested in the mythos surrounding Star Wars, and the history of the Jedi Knights.
Education/Credentials B.A. Washington and Jefferson College
Awards and Honors Deans' List 1993/1994
Graduated top 1/4 of my class.
Question Hi, I have a technical Star Wars question I hope you can help me with. Where exactly on the first Death Star are the sublight engines located? According to the literature I've read, my best guess is that there are two sublight engines located on the Death Star's equator, one on the outer edge of the left side and the other on the outer edge of the right side of the station (left and right if you consider the superlaser dish the front of the Death Side). Is this correct? And from what I gather, the two engines power a network of thrusters ringing the equator, but the thrusters themselves are not the actual engines, just the outlets for the two real engines. Can you please confirm this for me? Thank you very much for your help!
Answer Dear David,
Thank you for allowing me to answer this question. After researching the Death Star (and the plans that the Rebel Alliance stole), the Death Star's engines are located exactly where you said they were--along the trench that runs around the Death Star. It is made up of a line of ion engines that use converters to transform reactor power into forward motion. It achieves lightspeed by linking hyperdrive generators together for one giant push. For furthermore reference, I would direct too "Star Wars: Incredible Cross Sections" by David West Reynolds.
I sure hope that I answered your question for you. If you have any more, please feel free to contact me at anytime.
