A question that needs answering

[Uncompetative]

So im watching Star Wars, and this question has just popped into my head, How the f**k does the Death Star it actually move?!

midichlorians

 

[CompanionCube]

*Insert flawed argument here*

mabye they push it?

 

[xitel]

I believe I heard it's been theorized theorized that it would have used several Ion engines, that propel ionized material as a propellant system (I forget the specifics, I saw the article a while ago). It would be extremely slow, but seeing as how the TIE fighters are stated as using two of them (TIE = Twin Ion Engine), it means that the Empire already uses the technology effectively, so it would make sense that the Death Star would use it as well.

/thread

I think that's pretty much it. Didn't it also have a hyper-drive generator?

I think so, but that would probably use up all of its power just to jump that much mass from one planet to another. Seeing as how according to the Theory of Special Relativity an object's relative mass increases as you get closer and closer to the speed of light, the energy reqiured to move that huge object over even a short distance would require an immense amount of energy.


...God I'm a nerd.

 

[Aries_Split]

Medichlorians.

*Shoots Russ*

NO! BAD!

Prequels do NOT EXIST!

 

[jim_doki]

dilythium chrystals?

 

[Jobz]

Some sort of complicated combustion engine involving gasoline and electricity we humans have yet to understand. Apparently it's good for the environment.

 

[Beowulf DW]

I believe I heard it's been theorized theorized that it would have used several Ion engines, that propel ionized material as a propellant system (I forget the specifics, I saw the article a while ago). It would be extremely slow, but seeing as how the TIE fighters are stated as using two of them (TIE = Twin Ion Engine), it means that the Empire already uses the technology effectively, so it would make sense that the Death Star would use it as well.

/thread

I think that's pretty much it. Didn't it also have a hyper-drive generator?

I think so, but that would probably use up all of its power just to jump that much mass from one planet to another. Seeing as how according to the Theory of Special Relativity an object's relative mass increases as you get closer and closer to the speed of light, the energy reqiured to move that huge object over even a short distance would require an immense amount of energy.


...God I'm a nerd.

Yes...but I thought that the whole point of concepts like Hyper-space and Slip-space (Halo) was that instead of going faster than the speed of light (a physical impossibility), a craft would "slip" into a pocket universe, bend space, etc. in order to get around the physical limitations of this universe.

 

[cleverlymadeup]

i never thought of how it moved, tho i think there's some sort of hyper drive because travelling between solar systems isn't a quick trip

 

[MorsePacific]

I always assumed it stayed in place, waiting for some teenager to blow it to bits.

 

[Amnestic]

They use the power of the giant laser beam to push it along in space.

That's how physics works, right?

 

[Fenring]

simple it just fires the giant laser in the opposite direction of the way it wants to go

I'm glad someone said the obvious.

 

[The Lyre]

Even if it doesn't move by itself, the Emporer can create wormholes with the force - tearing through the fabric of reality, which has been used to transport enemy ships far, far away.

So...if you were a complete nerd, and knew that, you could sleep at night knowing that one way or another, the Death Star can move.

Just another example of the Marty Stu that is Emporer Palpatine.

I read it on Wookiepedia...don't judge me.

 

[CompanionCube]

I'm going to spam this again

They push it...

 

[Good morning blues]

This isn't nearly as interesting a question as "what the fuck was Luke's plan to rescue Han Solo?" Seriously, he started off by sending in Lando, who apparently did nothing at all since he couldn't even warn Luke about the Rancor, then he just decided to give his two droids away, one of which he'd stored his lightsaber in, then he sent Leia with Chewbacca, apparently intending to just maroon Chewwie there, then he came himself. What?

 

[EnzoHonda]

Uhh... it's not a real thing. It's a movie, people!

Anyway, I bet the Super Star-Destroyers tow it. The jump to hyperspace is a ***** though. And it doesn't stop well when it's being towed. They actually crashed into Babylon's 1-4 when they lost control one time.

 

[dekkarax]

The stormtroopers go out and push it. Seriously, do you now how many of those guys there are on board? Besides, what else would they be doing instead? Dying?

 

[Twaddlefish]

Medichlorians.

Dammit, beat me to it.

 

[xitel]

They use the power of the giant laser beam to push it along in space.

That's how physics works, right?

This hurts me. Really, it does. Mentally, and the physical pain caused by smashing my head into a cinder block. Because I've met people that actually think that.

 

[mshcherbatskaya]

Project the prequels in the direction they want to go and the sheer ungodly suction pulls it along.

 

[The Iron Ninja]

It rolls from place to place

This seems the most likely to me.
Not because of any silly laws of motion or anything, but just because now that I have read this, I can't imagine the death star doing anything other than rolling along.
It would certainly look less silly than a big huge moon space station being propelled forward by (proportionately) tiny thrusters.