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Technical Commentaries

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These pages examine particular technical aspects of STAR WARS. The motivation of this project is to synthesise and explore a physically self-consistent reality for that universe. There is an emphasis on topics inadequately covered by offline references.

Over the years, these commentaries have been greatly enhanced as a result of debate and discussion involving many correspondents. Suggestions are welcome, although I cannot always give an immediate personal reply. All original contributions are acknowledged. Topic proposals for new STAR WARS technical commentaries are also welcome, but I'm already busy developing many other pages offline.

Visible and actual progress in these pages varies according to the demands of my "real life". My own doctoral research takes precedence over this passtime. Also note that these pages have no relation to my real physics work. This hobby simply uses the methods and language of science to consider the question: "If the STAR WARS universe was real, how would its phenomena be understood?"

All contents are subject to revision and correction without notice: the primary objective for these pages is accuracy and rational consitency, not the development of any fixed dogmatic line. New items are identified in the site updates page.

Technical Commentaries:

• Death Stars
  Dimensions, structure and capabilities of the planet-destroying battle stations.
• Warships of the Empire
  Common features and catalogue of the Imperial Starfleet's prime warship designs.
• Warships of the Mon Calamari
  Assessment of the converted warships serving as the "Soul of the Rebellion".
• Super Star Destroyers
  The great command ships of the Imperial Navy.
• Star Destroyers
  Common mile-long combat ships patrolling the Galactic Empire.
• Star Destroyer Bridge Towers
  Indicator of star destroyer sub-classes.
• Military Walkers
  Catalogue of known walker classes and commentary on their military role.
• Hyperspace
  Phenomenological study and physical rationalisation of superluminal travel.
• Astrophysical Concerns
  Scope and scale of galactic civilisation; resolution of some physical conundrums.
• Planets
  Survey of the physical and orbital characteristics of the filmed celestial bodies.
• Endor Holocaust
  Ewok extermination due to impact of battle station debris.
• TIE Fighters
  Quantitative examination of TIE capabilities and components; catalogue of known models.
• Rebel Alliance Insignia
  Identification and examination of the substantive insignia of the Alderaan-sponsored rebels.
• Imperial Insignia & Uniforms
  Discussion of the system for the uniforms and insignia of the Imperial Armed Services.
• Injuries of Darth Vader
  The nature and extent of the Dark Lord's medical problems, and his cause of death.
• The Survival of Chief Bast
  Officer surviving the first Death Star. Photographic evidence from STAR WARS Holiday Special.
• Jabba's Decorations
  Artistic treasures in the collection of Jabba the Hutt.
• Novel References
  Novel reading notes; an accreting collection of passages having technical implications.
• Standard Units
  measurement standards in the STAR WARS galaxy: space, time, money and more.
• Zoology
  Animal life throughout the Galactic Empire.
• Mon Calamari
  The second most abundantly represented nonhuman species in the STAR WARS canon.
• Amanaman
  topics related to Amanin. [incomplete]
• Continuity, Canon and Apocrypha
  Resolving what is or is not genuine STAR WARS.

Other Writers & Sites:

The pages listed below are not part of this site, and although I contributed to some of them, they are not my responsibility or property. I recommend them to readers of my site because they're written in a similar spirit, even if I don't agree with every single detail. My Sci-Fi Technical Links lead to more general technical readings.

• Blockade Runner - Robert Brown
  The distinctive hammerhead starship; first vessel of the trilogy.
• Escape Pods - Robert Brown
  An analysis of the lifeboats of space..
• Corellian Vessels - Robert Brown
  Collective appraisal of the family resemblances of Corellian starship designs.
• Ithorians - Elwyn Chow
  "Hammerheads" - a benevolent and sophisticated starfaring species.
• Lightsabres - Robert Brown
  Usage and function of the elegant weapons, for a more civilised age.
• Millennium Falcon - Robert Brown
  Ship of Riddles. Exhaustive study of all aspects of Han Solo's freighter.
• Slave I - Robert Brown
  Deadly personal ship of the laconic bounty hunter.
• Transport - Robert Brown
  Stealth warrior or galactic workhorse.
• Turbolaser Commentaries - Brian Young
  Nature, characteristics and power of turbolasers.
• Y-Head Corvette - Robert Brown
  An undiscovered STAR WARS ship!

Miscellaneous:

• Site History
  Chronological listing of updates to STAR WARS Technical Commentaries.
• Site FAQ
  Basic facts about this web site, and its most commonly misunderstood features.
• Star Wars Links
  Various STAR WARS sites on the WWW.
• Sci-Fi Technical Links
  Other technical SF sites on the WWW.
• Images & Copyright
  A warning to plagiarists, poachers and those who would abuse the intellectual property rights of others.

This page was constructed and is maintained by Curtis Saxton <saxton@physics.usyd.edu.au>.
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These important legal considerations are treated in more detail in a dedicated page.
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