Desolation Station

"The warehouse workers and salvagers who supplied the conspirators have been dealt with, including several scientists at Desolation Station who violated the terms of their security oath."

- Darth Vader

Desolation Station was an Imperial outpost charged with overseeing the research behind the implementation of the Death Star. Matériel pivotal in the design of the hyperdrive of the massive superweapon was shipped from the station to the Death Star's construction site over the planet Geonosis.

The Death Star
"Components for the hyperdrive generator will be shipping on schedule from Desolation Station, where initial tests have been completed. Work continues on the navigational matrix itself, as well as on the hypermatter reactor. At this point I'm not unduly concerned about the status of the sublight engines or shield generators"

- Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin

Before the the Clone Wars ravaged the galaxy, Geonosian scientists helped design a weapon known as the Death Star. The battle station's plans were given to Count Dooku, who delivered them in turn to his Sith Master, Darth Sidious. As Sidious became Emperor, and formed the Empire from the ashes of the Galactic Republic, the Death Star began construction.

The weapon's early construction took place above Geonosis, and Desolation Station played a key role in overseeing material shipments to the planet, as well as backing the extensive research behind the project. Scientists from across the galaxy tested hypermatter reactors, and debated the positioning of the Death Star's turbolaser's massive kyber crystals. These scientists took security oaths to ensure that information about the secret weapon would not reach the ears of the Empire's opposition.

Trouble from rebels
"Work on the hyperdrive components alone had been in progress for three years before I was sent to Desolation Station. Even with perfected plans and redoubling of our efforts, I suspect that we will set them back four years."

- Dr. Artoz, a scientist formerly enlisted on Desolation Station

A large number of Imperials assigned to Desolation Station deserted their posts, and thus made their way onto the most-wanted list of the Commission for the Preservation of the New Order. Scientists such as Dr. Artoz and officers such as Captain Berch Teller alike fled from the Empire in horror at such actions as the Antar Atrocity. Many of the deserters joined a rebel cell and fought their own personal war against the Empire.

These rebels were able to, through hit-and-run tactics, set work at Desolation Station back by about four years.

Behind the scenes
Desolation Station first appeared in the video game, Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron. After the Canon reboot of April 25, 2014, the game was retconned and became a part of the Legends continuity. Desolation Station was re-introduced into Canon in James Luceno's novel, Tarkin, released on November 4, 2014.

Appearances

 * Tarkin