- "Imperial XX-23 S-thread tracker was developed by Sienar Systems to trace ships through hyperspace to destination."
- ―Tseebo
The Imperial XX-23 S-thread tracker,[1] also known as the XX-23 S-Thread Tracer,[2] was a homing beacon developed by Sienar Fleet Systems to track ships through hyperspace to their destination. The tracker was able to be launched from the warhead launcher of a TIE Advanced v1 starfighter and was used by the Grand Inquisitor to track the Ghost.[1] Four years later, another XX-23 was used to track the Millennium Falcon to Yavin 4, which allowed the Empire to discover the secret rebel base there.[3]
History[]
- "You're sure the homing beacon is secure aboard their ship? I'm taking an awful risk, Vader. This had better work."
- ―Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin to Darth Vader
The XX-23 S-thread tracker was a model of homing beacon used by the Galactic Empire. When the Millennium Falcon escaped from the Death Star, carrying Leia Organa and the battle station's plans to the Rebel base on Yavin 4, the Empire tracked the ship via one such device attached to the freighter's underside. On Yavin 4, Major Capin Harinar of the Rebel Alliance Intelligence Service and his men located the beacon, which was transmitting when they found it. In a message to General Davits Draven, Harinar noted that the device in question was fitted with a hyperwave narrow-band transceiver, and described it as an Imperial Department of Military Research custom job.[3]
Appearances[]
- Star Wars Rebels webcomic
- Ezra's Duel with Danger
- Star Wars Rebels — "Gathering Forces" (First appearance)
- Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope (First mentioned) (Indirect mention only)
- Star Wars: A New Hope junior novelization (Mentioned only)
Non-canon appearances[]
- LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "The Pit and the Pinnacle" (Mentioned only)
- LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "Free Fall"
Sources[]
- Star Wars: The Rebel Files
- Star Wars Helmet Collection 51 (Helmets: The Grand Inquisitor)
- Dawn of Rebellion (First identified as XX-23 S-Thread Tracer)
- Star Wars: Build Your Own X-Wing 22 (Starfighter Aces: Grand Inquisitor – Supreme Jedi Hunter)
- TIE Fighter Owners' Workshop Manual
- Star Wars: X-Wing Second Edition — Droid Tri-Fighter Expansion Pack (Card: XX-23 S-Thread Tracers)
- "TIE Fighters" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Imperial XX-23 S-Thread Tracer in the Databank (backup link)
- Inquisitor's TIE Advanced Prototype in the Databank (backup link)
- The Ghost in the Databank (backup link)