The Imperial security complex, also called the Imperial Center of Military Research and commonly known as Scarif base, was an Imperial research and development installation located on the tropical Outer Rim planet of Scarif. The facility was the center for research, structural engineering, munitions and manufacturing for the Death Star project. Shortly before the Battle of Yavin, the Rebel Alliance managed to penetrate Scarif's deflector shield and launch an attack on the security complex as part of their mission to steal the plans to the Death Star.
Description[edit | edit source]

Schematics of the Citadel Tower.
The Imperial security complex was a vast installation located on the surface of the tropical[1] Outer Rim[2] planet of Scarif. Consisting of a large, wide-based tower,[1] known as the Citadel Tower,[3] surrounded by various facilities,[1] the security complex was the center for research, structural engineering, munitions and manufacturing for the Death Star project, a program dedicated to the construction of the Galactic Empire's planet-destroying superweapon, the Death Star. Because of its role in the program, the complex was often visited by its director, Orson Krennic of Imperial Military Department of Advanced Weapons Research.[1]
History[edit | edit source]
In the year 10 BBY, construction of the Death Star moved to the planet Scarif.[4] The facility was commanded by General Sotorus Ramda. Shortly before the Battle of Yavin, the Alliance to Restore the Republic launched an attack on Scarif as part of their mission to steal the plans to the Death Star. After penetrating the planet's deflector shield through means of a Shield Gate, the Rebel Alliance assaulted the security complex. While rebel forces waged a pitched battle against the Imperial garrison on land and space, Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor managed to transmit the plans with considerable difficulty to the rebel fleet in orbit. In a desperate attempt to prevent the rebels from escaping with the stolen Death Star plans, Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin ordered the Death Star to destroy the security complex and Scarif using its superlaser. This led to the deaths of all participants on Scarif. But despite his efforts, Princess Leia Organa managed to escape with the Death Star plans on the CR90 corvette Tantive IV into hyperspace.[1]
Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]

Concept art of the Imperial security complex with the Death Star docking tower in the center.
The Imperial security complex was a location created and developed for the premier Star Wars anthology film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,[5] released on December 16, 2016.[6] The first footage of the complex was shown in the Rogue One teaser trailer on April 7, 2016.[7]
In early development of Rogue One, the Imperial security complex was envisioned as an installation that the Death Star would dock with directly, acting as an elevator through which materials were ferried to the battle station from the planet's surface. The overall shape of the facility was inspired by the data ports accessed by R2-D2 in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.[5] Though many aesthetic characteristics were retained for the installation's final design, the docking tower was changed to the Citadel Tower which featured a large transmission array at the summit.[1]
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Star Wars Battlefront II (DLC)
- Darth Vader Annual 2
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures – "Stormtroopers vs. Rebels – Soldiers of the Galactic Empire"
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story novelization
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story audiobook
- Star Wars: Rogue One: A Junior Novel
- Star Wars: Rogue One: A Junior Novel audiobook
- Star Wars: Rogue One Graphic Novel Adaptation
- Rogue One Adaptation 4 (Indirect mention only)
- Rogue One Adaptation 5
- Rogue One Adaptation 6
- Star Wars Battlefront (First appearance) (DLC)
- Age of Rebellion - Grand Moff Tarkin 1 (Mentioned only)
- "The Bucket"—From a Certain Point of View (Indirect mention only)
- "Verge of Greatness"—From a Certain Point of View
- From a Certain Point of View audiobook
- Battlefront II: Inferno Squad (Mentioned only)
- Battlefront II: Inferno Squad audiobook (Mentioned only)
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Star Wars: Rogue One Book and Model
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Official Teaser Trailer on StarWars.com (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Trailer 2 on StarWars.com (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Featurette on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story "Jyn & Cassian" Extended TV Spot on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story "Trust" on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story "Breath" TV Spot on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Official Chinese Trailer on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
- Star Wars Battlefront (December 1, 2016). Archived from the original on June 2, 2020. Retrieved on December 1, 2016.
- Star Wars: Rogue One: Secret Mission
- Star Wars: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide
Designing an Empire: Doug Chiang on Imperial Architecture in Rogue One on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Star Wars: On the Front Lines
- Star Wars: Geektionary: The Galaxy from A - Z (First identified as Imperial Center of Military Research)
- Star Wars: The Rebel Files (Picture only)
Star Wars Helmet Collection 38 (Databank A-Z: Baze Malbus–Darth Maul)
- Star Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles
Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game – TIE Reaper Expansion Pack (Card: Scarif Base Pilot)
Star Wars Helmet Collection 71 (Helmets: General Merrick; Weapons & Uniforms: Blue Squadron; Highlights of the Saga: The Battle of Scarif)
- Star Wars: How Not to Get Eaten by Ewoks and Other Galactic Survival Skills
Star Wars: Card Trader (Card: Shoretrooper - 2020 Base Series)
Star Wars: X-Wing Second Edition – Hotshots and Aces Reinforcements Pack (Card: "Vagabond") (Picture only)
Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian – "Connections"
Scarif in the Databank (backup link)
Notes and references[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Star Wars: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide
- ↑ Star Wars Battlefront
- ↑ Star Wars: Rogue One: Secret Mission
- ↑ 5.0 5.1
Designing an Empire: Doug Chiang on Imperial Architecture in Rogue One on StarWars.com (backup link)
- ↑
Gareth Edwards and Gary Whitta Onboard for Star Wars Stand-Alone Film on StarWars.com (backup link)