R3-T6/Legends
R3-T6, or Arthree-Teesix, was an Imperial R3-series astromech droid manufactured by Industrial Automaton and serving aboard the first Death Star in 0 BBY. Compared to their R1 and R2 predecessors, R3-series droids like R3-T6 possessed sophisticated circuitry and a larger memory, which increased their efficiency in astrogation plotting. R3-T6 was present onboard the Death Star during the Battle of Yavin and was subsequently annihilated when the station was destroyed by the Rebel Alliance.
Biography
An R3-series astromech droid, R3-T6, also designated Arthree-Teesix,[2] was manufactured by Industrial Automaton[1] and in the service of the Galactic Empire,[2] where it was tasked with calculating hyperspace coordinates.[4] By as late as 0 BBY,[1] the astromech droid was stationed aboard the first Death Star battlestation, a superweapon capable of obliterating entire planets. During the Battle of Yavin, R3-T6 was roaming the corridors of the battlestation and was present when Imperial Lieutenant Tanbris informed the Dark Lord Darth Vader that the Death Star's turbolasers were unable to track—and therefore destroy—the attacking Rebel starfighters.[3]
Despite the deployment of TIE Fighters to deal with the threat, one Rebel T-65 X-wing starfighter, piloted by Luke Skywalker, managed to launch a pair of proton torpedoes into the Death Star's thermal exhaust port. The torpedoes reached the Death Star's reactor core and detonated, destroying the battlestation.[3] R3-T6 was destroyed in the explosion.[1]
Characteristics
Like all R3-series astromech droids, R3-T6 possessed an increased memory and superior circuitry compared to earlier models such as the R1[2] and R2 astromech droids.[1] These benefits gave R3-T6 increased efficiency in astrogation plotting.[2] R3-T6 boasted a transparent dome and a red-on-white color scheme on its body.[3]
Behind the scenes
R3-T6 first appeared as an unidentified droid extra aboard the Death Star in 1977's Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, the first film of the original trilogy.[3] The droid's scene was filmed on Stage 2 at Elstree Studios between June 17 and June 28, 1976.[5] R3-T6 would be properly identified on the "R3-T6 (Arthree-Teesix)" card of the A New Hope Limited expansion set of the Star Wars Customizable Card Game,[2] released in July of 1996.[6]
Appearances
- Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope (First appearance)
Sources
Star Wars Customizable Card Game – A New Hope Limited (Card: R3-T6 (Arthree-Teesix)) (backup link) (First identified as R3-T6)- Star Wars Encyclopedia
Star Wars: The Saga Collection (Pack: Astromech Droid Pack (Series 1)) (backup link)- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Star Wars Encyclopedia
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 Star Wars Customizable Card Game – A New Hope Limited (Card: R3-T6 (Arthree-Teesix)) (backup link)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
- ↑ Star Wars: The Saga Collection (Pack: Astromech Droid Pack (Series 1)) (backup link)
- ↑ The Making of Star Wars
- ↑
"Pick a Card, Any Card: Making Movie Magic at Decipher, Inc." – Star Wars Insider 31