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Why didn't the Imperials block the exhaust port on the Death Star during the Battle of Yavin?
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The rebel plan is to fire torpedoes into the Death Star's exhaust port, causing a chain reaction that will destroy the Death Star.
One of the Imperial officers tells Tarkin:
OFFICER: We've analyzed their attack, sir, and there is a danger. Should I have your ship standing by?
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Once the Imperials know what the rebels are trying to do, why don't they do the obvious thing - either close the exhaust port, or put something big (like a ship) in front of it to block it?
star-wars a-new-hope
edited 4 hours ago
TheLethalCarrot
31.9k13181221
asked 4 hours ago
Michael Washburn
261
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add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
The rebel plan is to fire torpedoes into the Death Star's exhaust port, causing a chain reaction that will destroy the Death Star.
One of the Imperial officers tells Tarkin:
OFFICER: We've analyzed their attack, sir, and there is a danger. Should I have your ship standing by?
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Once the Imperials know what the rebels are trying to do, why don't they do the obvious thing - either close the exhaust port, or put something big (like a ship) in front of it to block it?
star-wars a-new-hope
edited 4 hours ago
TheLethalCarrot
31.9k13181221
asked 4 hours ago
Michael Washburn
261
New contributor
Michael Washburn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
If they could close the exhaust port without repercussion, they wouldn't have needed it in the first place!
– Nuclear Wang
4 hours ago
@NuclearWang Since we know from Rogue One that its very existence was sabotage, maybe they didn't need it.
– PlutoThePlanet
4 hours ago
@PlutoThePlanet, whilst you are right in terms on canon, that was obviously a retcon that did not exist at the time of the first movie.
– Darren
4 hours ago
2
They [Imperials] didn't necessarily know exactly what the true exposure was though. The risk they were aware of was that the small, one manned fighters were able to penetrate their defense shields and avoid the turbo lasers (for the most part)
– NKCampbell
2 hours ago
1
+1 @NKCampbell I was just going to say the same. "Analysis of the attack" doesn't mean "We have perfect information about everything the enemy is doing," especially not while said attack is ongoing. If they aren't aware of the exhaust port, they might think the rebels are going for something else.
– Steve-O
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
The rebel plan is to fire torpedoes into the Death Star's exhaust port, causing a chain reaction that will destroy the Death Star.
One of the Imperial officers tells Tarkin:
OFFICER: We've analyzed their attack, sir, and there is a danger. Should I have your ship standing by?
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Once the Imperials know what the rebels are trying to do, why don't they do the obvious thing - either close the exhaust port, or put something big (like a ship) in front of it to block it?
star-wars a-new-hope
edited 4 hours ago
TheLethalCarrot
31.9k13181221
asked 4 hours ago
Michael Washburn
261
New contributor
Michael Washburn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The rebel plan is to fire torpedoes into the Death Star's exhaust port, causing a chain reaction that will destroy the Death Star.
One of the Imperial officers tells Tarkin:
OFFICER: We've analyzed their attack, sir, and there is a danger. Should I have your ship standing by?
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Once the Imperials know what the rebels are trying to do, why don't they do the obvious thing - either close the exhaust port, or put something big (like a ship) in front of it to block it?
star-wars a-new-hope
star-wars a-new-hope
edited 4 hours ago
TheLethalCarrot
31.9k13181221
asked 4 hours ago
Michael Washburn
261
New contributor
Michael Washburn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 4 hours ago
TheLethalCarrot
31.9k13181221
asked 4 hours ago
Michael Washburn
261
New contributor
Michael Washburn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 4 hours ago
TheLethalCarrot
31.9k13181221
edited 4 hours ago
TheLethalCarrot
31.9k13181221
edited 4 hours ago
TheLethalCarrot
31.9k13181221
31.9k13181221
asked 4 hours ago
Michael Washburn
261
New contributor
Michael Washburn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 4 hours ago
Michael Washburn
261
asked 4 hours ago
Michael Washburn
261
261
New contributor
Michael Washburn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Michael Washburn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Michael Washburn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
3
If they could close the exhaust port without repercussion, they wouldn't have needed it in the first place!
– Nuclear Wang
4 hours ago
@NuclearWang Since we know from Rogue One that its very existence was sabotage, maybe they didn't need it.
– PlutoThePlanet
4 hours ago
@PlutoThePlanet, whilst you are right in terms on canon, that was obviously a retcon that did not exist at the time of the first movie.
– Darren
4 hours ago
2
They [Imperials] didn't necessarily know exactly what the true exposure was though. The risk they were aware of was that the small, one manned fighters were able to penetrate their defense shields and avoid the turbo lasers (for the most part)
– NKCampbell
2 hours ago
1
+1 @NKCampbell I was just going to say the same. "Analysis of the attack" doesn't mean "We have perfect information about everything the enemy is doing," especially not while said attack is ongoing. If they aren't aware of the exhaust port, they might think the rebels are going for something else.
– Steve-O
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
3
If they could close the exhaust port without repercussion, they wouldn't have needed it in the first place!
– Nuclear Wang
4 hours ago
@NuclearWang Since we know from Rogue One that its very existence was sabotage, maybe they didn't need it.
– PlutoThePlanet
4 hours ago
@PlutoThePlanet, whilst you are right in terms on canon, that was obviously a retcon that did not exist at the time of the first movie.
– Darren
4 hours ago
2
They [Imperials] didn't necessarily know exactly what the true exposure was though. The risk they were aware of was that the small, one manned fighters were able to penetrate their defense shields and avoid the turbo lasers (for the most part)
– NKCampbell
2 hours ago
1
+1 @NKCampbell I was just going to say the same. "Analysis of the attack" doesn't mean "We have perfect information about everything the enemy is doing," especially not while said attack is ongoing. If they aren't aware of the exhaust port, they might think the rebels are going for something else.
– Steve-O
2 hours ago
3
3
If they could close the exhaust port without repercussion, they wouldn't have needed it in the first place!
– Nuclear Wang
4 hours ago
If they could close the exhaust port without repercussion, they wouldn't have needed it in the first place!
– Nuclear Wang
4 hours ago
@NuclearWang Since we know from Rogue One that its very existence was sabotage, maybe they didn't need it.
– PlutoThePlanet
4 hours ago
@NuclearWang Since we know from Rogue One that its very existence was sabotage, maybe they didn't need it.
– PlutoThePlanet
4 hours ago
@PlutoThePlanet, whilst you are right in terms on canon, that was obviously a retcon that did not exist at the time of the first movie.
– Darren
4 hours ago
@PlutoThePlanet, whilst you are right in terms on canon, that was obviously a retcon that did not exist at the time of the first movie.
– Darren
4 hours ago
2
2
They [Imperials] didn't necessarily know exactly what the true exposure was though. The risk they were aware of was that the small, one manned fighters were able to penetrate their defense shields and avoid the turbo lasers (for the most part)
– NKCampbell
2 hours ago
They [Imperials] didn't necessarily know exactly what the true exposure was though. The risk they were aware of was that the small, one manned fighters were able to penetrate their defense shields and avoid the turbo lasers (for the most part)
– NKCampbell
2 hours ago
1
1
+1 @NKCampbell I was just going to say the same. "Analysis of the attack" doesn't mean "We have perfect information about everything the enemy is doing," especially not while said attack is ongoing. If they aren't aware of the exhaust port, they might think the rebels are going for something else.
– Steve-O
2 hours ago
+1 @NKCampbell I was just going to say the same. "Analysis of the attack" doesn't mean "We have perfect information about everything the enemy is doing," especially not while said attack is ongoing. If they aren't aware of the exhaust port, they might think the rebels are going for something else.
– Steve-O
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
The relative difficulty of getting to the exhaust port - location and defenses - was the entire reason for the trench run. It was easier to do with a small craft than a more powerful vessel.
Dodonna: It's defenses are designed around a direct large-scale assault. A small one-man fighter should be able to penetrate the outer defense. [...] The approach will not be easy. You are required to maneuver straight down this trench and skim the surface to this point. The target area is only two meters wide. It's a small thermal exhaust port, right below the main port. The shaft leads directly to the reactor system. A precise hit will start a chain reaction which should destroy the station.
If it takes a small craft to get close enough to it to attack it, "put[ting] something big (like a ship) in front of it to block it" isn't going to work. The target is in a trench measured in meters on an object measured in kilometers. As odd as it may sound to say, you're not going to block it with another kilometer-scale object.
Furthermore, blocking or closing an exhaust port for a reactor is a bad idea. The exact science of Star Wars is frequently suspect, but basic engineering principles still hold: they would not have an exhaust port if they did not need an exhaust port. Stuffing a potato in the exhaust pipe of a car stalls the car. You don't want to stall the Death Star, do you?
There were people who believed the required shot was...
Wedge: That's impossible, even for a computer.
answered 3 hours ago
T.J.L.
3,18621641
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Regardless of the origin of the exhaust port on the Death Star Mk. 1, as noted in the quote in the question, the Imperials weren't even aware of the hazard until the battle was in progress, with Rebel fighters already in close contact.
Trying to assemble a crew and shield or block the port in the middle of a battle would be futile (and blocking the port would most likely compromise some part of the station's operation) -- the work couldn't be completed in time to matter. The chosen tactic, for their best pilot and his hand-picked wing men to go out in T.I.E. fighters to intercept the attackers, was the best option available to disrupt the attacks long enough for the tower cannons and fighters to destroy the light Rebel fighters. It was only a pull of the trigger from success, if not for the unexpected intervention of Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon.
answered 3 hours ago
Zeiss Ikon
6,4441037
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Tarkin's arrogance prevented him from taking the threat seriously.
Let's say you've decided to construct a technological terror of some kind. A large spherical battle station that can blow up a planet. Sure, Vader keeps reminding you that the ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force. But, you've got big dreams and you won't let his sorcerer's ways get you down. But, you realize that, while very powerful, your station is not invulnerable so you wisely decide to give some thought to its defense.
When you're trying to defend something, you can't defend against every possible threat. Resources (money, ships, people, energy) aren't infinite. Because of that, you have to decide where you're going to spend the limited resources you do have. A good strategy is to look at all the possible threats and prioritize that list based on whatever criteria you deem important. Usually this would mean those threats that you're most likely to face along with some unlikely ones that would be especially dangerous if they happen. Anything that doesn't meet whatever threshold you've set gets ignored, either because it's so unlikely as to be impossible, or not dangerous enough to merit attention.
In the case of the Death Star, the Empire seems to have decided that large scale frontal assaults were the only threat worth considering. They looked at the potential threat of small fighters and decided that the turbo lasers and TIE Fighter squadrons that would be used in the defense against a large scale assault would be sufficient against a small scale assault as well.
So, when Tarkin was presented with information that small fighters might pose more a threat than originally thought, he ignored it. His response shows that he deemed this new threat too unlikely to give special response too.
Evacuate in our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate their
chances.
He was too sure of the power of the Death Star to properly gauge the threat the Rebels posed.
Edit: I'll add that, when you think about it, you can't really fault Tarkin for his decision. If you remove Luke's force abilities and Han showing up at the last minute, the attack would have failed. He was correct in saying the threat wasn't great enough to pay attention too.
I can't really blame Tarkin for not considering whether an incredibly powerful Force user might be one of the pilots. Especially when the Jedi had been mostly wiped out for years at that point. And even if he did consider that, Luke's force abilities alone still would have failed. Vader very nearly killed Luke.
For Tarkin to have properly gauged the threat he faced, he would have had to know that Luke was an incredibly power force user and could therefore make an otherwise impossible shot and that Han would have shown up at the last minute to take out the TIE fighters. I don't think anyone would be expected to anticipate both of those incredibly unlikely events.
answered 2 hours ago
Alarion
3,11011116
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
The relative difficulty of getting to the exhaust port - location and defenses - was the entire reason for the trench run. It was easier to do with a small craft than a more powerful vessel.
Dodonna: It's defenses are designed around a direct large-scale assault. A small one-man fighter should be able to penetrate the outer defense. [...] The approach will not be easy. You are required to maneuver straight down this trench and skim the surface to this point. The target area is only two meters wide. It's a small thermal exhaust port, right below the main port. The shaft leads directly to the reactor system. A precise hit will start a chain reaction which should destroy the station.
If it takes a small craft to get close enough to it to attack it, "put[ting] something big (like a ship) in front of it to block it" isn't going to work. The target is in a trench measured in meters on an object measured in kilometers. As odd as it may sound to say, you're not going to block it with another kilometer-scale object.
Furthermore, blocking or closing an exhaust port for a reactor is a bad idea. The exact science of Star Wars is frequently suspect, but basic engineering principles still hold: they would not have an exhaust port if they did not need an exhaust port. Stuffing a potato in the exhaust pipe of a car stalls the car. You don't want to stall the Death Star, do you?
There were people who believed the required shot was...
Wedge: That's impossible, even for a computer.
answered 3 hours ago
T.J.L.
3,18621641
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
The relative difficulty of getting to the exhaust port - location and defenses - was the entire reason for the trench run. It was easier to do with a small craft than a more powerful vessel.
Dodonna: It's defenses are designed around a direct large-scale assault. A small one-man fighter should be able to penetrate the outer defense. [...] The approach will not be easy. You are required to maneuver straight down this trench and skim the surface to this point. The target area is only two meters wide. It's a small thermal exhaust port, right below the main port. The shaft leads directly to the reactor system. A precise hit will start a chain reaction which should destroy the station.
If it takes a small craft to get close enough to it to attack it, "put[ting] something big (like a ship) in front of it to block it" isn't going to work. The target is in a trench measured in meters on an object measured in kilometers. As odd as it may sound to say, you're not going to block it with another kilometer-scale object.
Furthermore, blocking or closing an exhaust port for a reactor is a bad idea. The exact science of Star Wars is frequently suspect, but basic engineering principles still hold: they would not have an exhaust port if they did not need an exhaust port. Stuffing a potato in the exhaust pipe of a car stalls the car. You don't want to stall the Death Star, do you?
There were people who believed the required shot was...
Wedge: That's impossible, even for a computer.
answered 3 hours ago
T.J.L.
3,18621641
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
The relative difficulty of getting to the exhaust port - location and defenses - was the entire reason for the trench run. It was easier to do with a small craft than a more powerful vessel.
Dodonna: It's defenses are designed around a direct large-scale assault. A small one-man fighter should be able to penetrate the outer defense. [...] The approach will not be easy. You are required to maneuver straight down this trench and skim the surface to this point. The target area is only two meters wide. It's a small thermal exhaust port, right below the main port. The shaft leads directly to the reactor system. A precise hit will start a chain reaction which should destroy the station.
If it takes a small craft to get close enough to it to attack it, "put[ting] something big (like a ship) in front of it to block it" isn't going to work. The target is in a trench measured in meters on an object measured in kilometers. As odd as it may sound to say, you're not going to block it with another kilometer-scale object.
Furthermore, blocking or closing an exhaust port for a reactor is a bad idea. The exact science of Star Wars is frequently suspect, but basic engineering principles still hold: they would not have an exhaust port if they did not need an exhaust port. Stuffing a potato in the exhaust pipe of a car stalls the car. You don't want to stall the Death Star, do you?
There were people who believed the required shot was...
Wedge: That's impossible, even for a computer.
answered 3 hours ago
T.J.L.
3,18621641
The relative difficulty of getting to the exhaust port - location and defenses - was the entire reason for the trench run. It was easier to do with a small craft than a more powerful vessel.
Dodonna: It's defenses are designed around a direct large-scale assault. A small one-man fighter should be able to penetrate the outer defense. [...] The approach will not be easy. You are required to maneuver straight down this trench and skim the surface to this point. The target area is only two meters wide. It's a small thermal exhaust port, right below the main port. The shaft leads directly to the reactor system. A precise hit will start a chain reaction which should destroy the station.
If it takes a small craft to get close enough to it to attack it, "put[ting] something big (like a ship) in front of it to block it" isn't going to work. The target is in a trench measured in meters on an object measured in kilometers. As odd as it may sound to say, you're not going to block it with another kilometer-scale object.
Furthermore, blocking or closing an exhaust port for a reactor is a bad idea. The exact science of Star Wars is frequently suspect, but basic engineering principles still hold: they would not have an exhaust port if they did not need an exhaust port. Stuffing a potato in the exhaust pipe of a car stalls the car. You don't want to stall the Death Star, do you?
There were people who believed the required shot was...
Wedge: That's impossible, even for a computer.
answered 3 hours ago
T.J.L.
3,18621641
answered 3 hours ago
T.J.L.
3,18621641
answered 3 hours ago
T.J.L.
3,18621641
answered 3 hours ago
T.J.L.
3,18621641
3,18621641
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Regardless of the origin of the exhaust port on the Death Star Mk. 1, as noted in the quote in the question, the Imperials weren't even aware of the hazard until the battle was in progress, with Rebel fighters already in close contact.
Trying to assemble a crew and shield or block the port in the middle of a battle would be futile (and blocking the port would most likely compromise some part of the station's operation) -- the work couldn't be completed in time to matter. The chosen tactic, for their best pilot and his hand-picked wing men to go out in T.I.E. fighters to intercept the attackers, was the best option available to disrupt the attacks long enough for the tower cannons and fighters to destroy the light Rebel fighters. It was only a pull of the trigger from success, if not for the unexpected intervention of Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon.
answered 3 hours ago
Zeiss Ikon
6,4441037
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Regardless of the origin of the exhaust port on the Death Star Mk. 1, as noted in the quote in the question, the Imperials weren't even aware of the hazard until the battle was in progress, with Rebel fighters already in close contact.
Trying to assemble a crew and shield or block the port in the middle of a battle would be futile (and blocking the port would most likely compromise some part of the station's operation) -- the work couldn't be completed in time to matter. The chosen tactic, for their best pilot and his hand-picked wing men to go out in T.I.E. fighters to intercept the attackers, was the best option available to disrupt the attacks long enough for the tower cannons and fighters to destroy the light Rebel fighters. It was only a pull of the trigger from success, if not for the unexpected intervention of Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon.
answered 3 hours ago
Zeiss Ikon
6,4441037
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Regardless of the origin of the exhaust port on the Death Star Mk. 1, as noted in the quote in the question, the Imperials weren't even aware of the hazard until the battle was in progress, with Rebel fighters already in close contact.
Trying to assemble a crew and shield or block the port in the middle of a battle would be futile (and blocking the port would most likely compromise some part of the station's operation) -- the work couldn't be completed in time to matter. The chosen tactic, for their best pilot and his hand-picked wing men to go out in T.I.E. fighters to intercept the attackers, was the best option available to disrupt the attacks long enough for the tower cannons and fighters to destroy the light Rebel fighters. It was only a pull of the trigger from success, if not for the unexpected intervention of Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon.
answered 3 hours ago
Zeiss Ikon
6,4441037
Regardless of the origin of the exhaust port on the Death Star Mk. 1, as noted in the quote in the question, the Imperials weren't even aware of the hazard until the battle was in progress, with Rebel fighters already in close contact.
Trying to assemble a crew and shield or block the port in the middle of a battle would be futile (and blocking the port would most likely compromise some part of the station's operation) -- the work couldn't be completed in time to matter. The chosen tactic, for their best pilot and his hand-picked wing men to go out in T.I.E. fighters to intercept the attackers, was the best option available to disrupt the attacks long enough for the tower cannons and fighters to destroy the light Rebel fighters. It was only a pull of the trigger from success, if not for the unexpected intervention of Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon.
answered 3 hours ago
Zeiss Ikon
6,4441037
answered 3 hours ago
Zeiss Ikon
6,4441037
answered 3 hours ago
Zeiss Ikon
6,4441037
answered 3 hours ago
Zeiss Ikon
6,4441037
6,4441037
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Tarkin's arrogance prevented him from taking the threat seriously.
Let's say you've decided to construct a technological terror of some kind. A large spherical battle station that can blow up a planet. Sure, Vader keeps reminding you that the ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force. But, you've got big dreams and you won't let his sorcerer's ways get you down. But, you realize that, while very powerful, your station is not invulnerable so you wisely decide to give some thought to its defense.
When you're trying to defend something, you can't defend against every possible threat. Resources (money, ships, people, energy) aren't infinite. Because of that, you have to decide where you're going to spend the limited resources you do have. A good strategy is to look at all the possible threats and prioritize that list based on whatever criteria you deem important. Usually this would mean those threats that you're most likely to face along with some unlikely ones that would be especially dangerous if they happen. Anything that doesn't meet whatever threshold you've set gets ignored, either because it's so unlikely as to be impossible, or not dangerous enough to merit attention.
In the case of the Death Star, the Empire seems to have decided that large scale frontal assaults were the only threat worth considering. They looked at the potential threat of small fighters and decided that the turbo lasers and TIE Fighter squadrons that would be used in the defense against a large scale assault would be sufficient against a small scale assault as well.
So, when Tarkin was presented with information that small fighters might pose more a threat than originally thought, he ignored it. His response shows that he deemed this new threat too unlikely to give special response too.
Evacuate in our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate their
chances.
He was too sure of the power of the Death Star to properly gauge the threat the Rebels posed.
Edit: I'll add that, when you think about it, you can't really fault Tarkin for his decision. If you remove Luke's force abilities and Han showing up at the last minute, the attack would have failed. He was correct in saying the threat wasn't great enough to pay attention too.
I can't really blame Tarkin for not considering whether an incredibly powerful Force user might be one of the pilots. Especially when the Jedi had been mostly wiped out for years at that point. And even if he did consider that, Luke's force abilities alone still would have failed. Vader very nearly killed Luke.
For Tarkin to have properly gauged the threat he faced, he would have had to know that Luke was an incredibly power force user and could therefore make an otherwise impossible shot and that Han would have shown up at the last minute to take out the TIE fighters. I don't think anyone would be expected to anticipate both of those incredibly unlikely events.
answered 2 hours ago
Alarion
3,11011116
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Tarkin's arrogance prevented him from taking the threat seriously.
Let's say you've decided to construct a technological terror of some kind. A large spherical battle station that can blow up a planet. Sure, Vader keeps reminding you that the ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force. But, you've got big dreams and you won't let his sorcerer's ways get you down. But, you realize that, while very powerful, your station is not invulnerable so you wisely decide to give some thought to its defense.
When you're trying to defend something, you can't defend against every possible threat. Resources (money, ships, people, energy) aren't infinite. Because of that, you have to decide where you're going to spend the limited resources you do have. A good strategy is to look at all the possible threats and prioritize that list based on whatever criteria you deem important. Usually this would mean those threats that you're most likely to face along with some unlikely ones that would be especially dangerous if they happen. Anything that doesn't meet whatever threshold you've set gets ignored, either because it's so unlikely as to be impossible, or not dangerous enough to merit attention.
In the case of the Death Star, the Empire seems to have decided that large scale frontal assaults were the only threat worth considering. They looked at the potential threat of small fighters and decided that the turbo lasers and TIE Fighter squadrons that would be used in the defense against a large scale assault would be sufficient against a small scale assault as well.
So, when Tarkin was presented with information that small fighters might pose more a threat than originally thought, he ignored it. His response shows that he deemed this new threat too unlikely to give special response too.
Evacuate in our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate their
chances.
He was too sure of the power of the Death Star to properly gauge the threat the Rebels posed.
Edit: I'll add that, when you think about it, you can't really fault Tarkin for his decision. If you remove Luke's force abilities and Han showing up at the last minute, the attack would have failed. He was correct in saying the threat wasn't great enough to pay attention too.
I can't really blame Tarkin for not considering whether an incredibly powerful Force user might be one of the pilots. Especially when the Jedi had been mostly wiped out for years at that point. And even if he did consider that, Luke's force abilities alone still would have failed. Vader very nearly killed Luke.
For Tarkin to have properly gauged the threat he faced, he would have had to know that Luke was an incredibly power force user and could therefore make an otherwise impossible shot and that Han would have shown up at the last minute to take out the TIE fighters. I don't think anyone would be expected to anticipate both of those incredibly unlikely events.
answered 2 hours ago
Alarion
3,11011116
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Tarkin's arrogance prevented him from taking the threat seriously.
Let's say you've decided to construct a technological terror of some kind. A large spherical battle station that can blow up a planet. Sure, Vader keeps reminding you that the ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force. But, you've got big dreams and you won't let his sorcerer's ways get you down. But, you realize that, while very powerful, your station is not invulnerable so you wisely decide to give some thought to its defense.
When you're trying to defend something, you can't defend against every possible threat. Resources (money, ships, people, energy) aren't infinite. Because of that, you have to decide where you're going to spend the limited resources you do have. A good strategy is to look at all the possible threats and prioritize that list based on whatever criteria you deem important. Usually this would mean those threats that you're most likely to face along with some unlikely ones that would be especially dangerous if they happen. Anything that doesn't meet whatever threshold you've set gets ignored, either because it's so unlikely as to be impossible, or not dangerous enough to merit attention.
In the case of the Death Star, the Empire seems to have decided that large scale frontal assaults were the only threat worth considering. They looked at the potential threat of small fighters and decided that the turbo lasers and TIE Fighter squadrons that would be used in the defense against a large scale assault would be sufficient against a small scale assault as well.
So, when Tarkin was presented with information that small fighters might pose more a threat than originally thought, he ignored it. His response shows that he deemed this new threat too unlikely to give special response too.
Evacuate in our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate their
chances.
He was too sure of the power of the Death Star to properly gauge the threat the Rebels posed.
Edit: I'll add that, when you think about it, you can't really fault Tarkin for his decision. If you remove Luke's force abilities and Han showing up at the last minute, the attack would have failed. He was correct in saying the threat wasn't great enough to pay attention too.
I can't really blame Tarkin for not considering whether an incredibly powerful Force user might be one of the pilots. Especially when the Jedi had been mostly wiped out for years at that point. And even if he did consider that, Luke's force abilities alone still would have failed. Vader very nearly killed Luke.
For Tarkin to have properly gauged the threat he faced, he would have had to know that Luke was an incredibly power force user and could therefore make an otherwise impossible shot and that Han would have shown up at the last minute to take out the TIE fighters. I don't think anyone would be expected to anticipate both of those incredibly unlikely events.
answered 2 hours ago
Alarion
3,11011116
Tarkin's arrogance prevented him from taking the threat seriously.
Let's say you've decided to construct a technological terror of some kind. A large spherical battle station that can blow up a planet. Sure, Vader keeps reminding you that the ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force. But, you've got big dreams and you won't let his sorcerer's ways get you down. But, you realize that, while very powerful, your station is not invulnerable so you wisely decide to give some thought to its defense.
When you're trying to defend something, you can't defend against every possible threat. Resources (money, ships, people, energy) aren't infinite. Because of that, you have to decide where you're going to spend the limited resources you do have. A good strategy is to look at all the possible threats and prioritize that list based on whatever criteria you deem important. Usually this would mean those threats that you're most likely to face along with some unlikely ones that would be especially dangerous if they happen. Anything that doesn't meet whatever threshold you've set gets ignored, either because it's so unlikely as to be impossible, or not dangerous enough to merit attention.
In the case of the Death Star, the Empire seems to have decided that large scale frontal assaults were the only threat worth considering. They looked at the potential threat of small fighters and decided that the turbo lasers and TIE Fighter squadrons that would be used in the defense against a large scale assault would be sufficient against a small scale assault as well.
So, when Tarkin was presented with information that small fighters might pose more a threat than originally thought, he ignored it. His response shows that he deemed this new threat too unlikely to give special response too.
Evacuate in our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate their
chances.
He was too sure of the power of the Death Star to properly gauge the threat the Rebels posed.
Edit: I'll add that, when you think about it, you can't really fault Tarkin for his decision. If you remove Luke's force abilities and Han showing up at the last minute, the attack would have failed. He was correct in saying the threat wasn't great enough to pay attention too.
I can't really blame Tarkin for not considering whether an incredibly powerful Force user might be one of the pilots. Especially when the Jedi had been mostly wiped out for years at that point. And even if he did consider that, Luke's force abilities alone still would have failed. Vader very nearly killed Luke.
For Tarkin to have properly gauged the threat he faced, he would have had to know that Luke was an incredibly power force user and could therefore make an otherwise impossible shot and that Han would have shown up at the last minute to take out the TIE fighters. I don't think anyone would be expected to anticipate both of those incredibly unlikely events.
answered 2 hours ago
Alarion
3,11011116
edited 2 hours ago
answered 2 hours ago
Alarion
3,11011116
answered 2 hours ago
Alarion
3,11011116
answered 2 hours ago
Alarion
3,11011116
3,11011116
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3
If they could close the exhaust port without repercussion, they wouldn't have needed it in the first place!
– Nuclear Wang
4 hours ago
@NuclearWang Since we know from Rogue One that its very existence was sabotage, maybe they didn't need it.
– PlutoThePlanet
4 hours ago
@PlutoThePlanet, whilst you are right in terms on canon, that was obviously a retcon that did not exist at the time of the first movie.
– Darren
4 hours ago
2
They [Imperials] didn't necessarily know exactly what the true exposure was though. The risk they were aware of was that the small, one manned fighters were able to penetrate their defense shields and avoid the turbo lasers (for the most part)
– NKCampbell
2 hours ago
1
+1 @NKCampbell I was just going to say the same. "Analysis of the attack" doesn't mean "We have perfect information about everything the enemy is doing," especially not while said attack is ongoing. If they aren't aware of the exhaust port, they might think the rebels are going for something else.
– Steve-O
2 hours ago