DS II - Reactor Cavity - Why is it so large?

[Dangermouse]

In ROTJ, we are presented with a nice view of the Death Star II reactor chamber as the camera tracks Red and Gold Leader. From this shot, the reactor chamber is quite large:



A crude lower limit for the chamber size can be found by scaling the small tower against an 8m Xwing and then scaling this against the partial shot of the chamber.





Using this, I get a minimum chamber size of 0.74km by 0.44km with a minimum volume of 0.76 km^3 (assume cylinder). In actuality, the chamber is much larger as we are not given a complete view.

Its clear the chamber is much larger than the reactor, and that the majority of the volume is empty space. Looking at the surrounding panels, it seems that this part of the Death Star is completed and that persumably, the cavity was an intentional part of the design. If so, why would you use such a large cavity? Its seems a little bit large to say its just for easy access and repair. Is it for ventilation or some byproduct of Star Wars Power generation? Or is it something else entirely?

[Isolder74]

Its possible the cavaty is to make it even harder to hit the reactor from an outside shaft. The space could now include a array od shields that wouls allow venting but not torpedos to enter.

[Kuja]

Hypermatter is dangerous shit. Giving it a wide berth seems like a smart move to me.

[Noble Ire]

Perhaps it has something to do with the Superlaser. A cooling chamber, or something for energy concentration........
Of course, the Superlaser was active at the time, so if this is the case, there should be visible signs of energy discharge or something.




Most of what I just said is most likely crap.

[Dangermouse]

Its possible the cavaty is to make it even harder to hit the reactor from an outside shaft. The space could now include a array od shields that wouls allow venting but not torpedos to enter.

That might make some sense. We do see this in the clip as well:



The one on the tower doesn't appear until the torpedo/weapon thing hits it.

Do you think those are shields or something else?

[Dangermouse]

Maybe this is natural for Star Wars ships. The cavity is quite large, but it still only a tiny,tiny fraction of the overall volume of the DS II. Perhaps all Star Wars ships have similiar cavitities enclosing a smaller reactor that are scaled in proportion to their size.

[Ender]

More accurate scaling could come from the rebel briefing, and comparing it to the whole. It's diameter is something like 13% of the whole IIRC.

[Isolder74]

What I was impllying

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like this. When complete the array would let the exaust out but not let the torpedo in

[Ender]

Maybe this is natural for Star Wars ships. The cavity is quite large, but it still only a tiny,tiny fraction of the overall volume of the DS II. Perhaps all Star Wars ships have similiar cavitities enclosing a smaller reactor that are scaled in proportion to their size.

Presumably this is the case, as doing so gets you an extremely close answer to power values derived though other methods.

Interesting that the series is so self consistant, no?

[Dangermouse]

[Presumably this is the case, as doing so gets you an extremely close answer to power values derived though other methods.

Interesting that the series is so self consistant, no?

That is a good thing though. The technical people must do their homework.

Back to the topic:



Going by this shot, Ender is indeed correct, the chamber in the holo is arond 13% of the diameter, meaning the cavity is even larger than I expected as compared to the reactor space. That is a lot of empty space.

[Dangermouse]

What I was impllying

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like this. When complete the array would let the exaust out but not let the torpedo in

I understand now; it would completely encircle the reactor and radiate away from the center providing layers of protection. So this part would not have been started yet by the time of the events in the film.

[Spanky The Dolphin]

What I was impllying

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like this. When complete the array would let the exaust out but not let the torpedo in

I denounce this shielding idea as silly. More than likely it directly relates to the reactor function, either in power generation or operation.

[Isolder74]

What I was impllying

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- ------
--- ----
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like this. When complete the array would let the exaust out but not let the torpedo in

I denounce this shielding idea as silly. More than likely it directly relates to the reactor function, either in power generation or operation.

It was just an idea. It does work though.

The space could easily be there to allow better venting of the reactor. It could be there to allow space to allow repair and maitanence crew room to fix the thing

[Dangermouse]

The space could easily be there to allow better venting of the reactor. It could be there to allow space to allow repair and maitanence crew room to fix the thing

After looking at the holo, I am learning toward that a little. There are four shafts leading to the reactor for easy access. Although, the shaft narrows quite a bit into an almost cross shape right before the reactor. Its does't appear to be great for bringing in large reactor type parts.

<Shrugs>

[Noble Ire]

After looking at the holo, I am learning toward that a little. There are four shafts leading to the reactor for easy access. Although, the shaft narrows quite a bit into an almost cross shape right before the reactor. Its does't appear to be great for bringing in large reactor type parts.

<Shrugs>

Perhaps there are larger passageways not visible in any of the screenshots.

[AdmiralKanos]

In a completed DS2, you would have to overcome DS2's shields, overcome DS2's defenses, and then blast through hundreds of kilometres of overlaying structure and armour in order to reach the reactor. It doesn't seem likely that it would need its own dedicated anti-torpedo defenses; any OPFOR that can do all of that would surely be able to overcome some reactor shielding, and by then one would imagine that so much damage has been done that DS2 is non-functional anyway.

[Jadeite]

I've always thought that the whole "fighters flying into the structure" possibility could have been prevented by putting a big armored grating somewhere in the shafts. *smash*

[Noble Ire]

I've always thought that the whole "fighters flying into the structure" possibility could have been prevented by putting a big armored grating somewhere in the shafts. *smash*

They were still constructing it after all. I assume doing something like that before it was completed would muck up construction, and after compleation, it would be a moot point.

[Dangermouse]

The thermal exhaust port from the original was quite small - only a few meters. Perhaps what we are seeing are nothing more than interior access shafts that will be sealed and armorplated after completion. After all, spare parts and maintenance access could be flown in through the hangars along the waistband trench. The shafts are at that same level; it makes some sense to connect to a maintenance hanger system than have dedicated access shafts for enemy fighters to fly down. Perhaps have an extremely fast train transit system for moving personnel / parts to a a central repair part where internal space repair vehicles are stored that can then access the reactor and help move parts to the reactor.

I don't know anything about Star Wars reactors or their operation ( or anything from the larger non film universe for that matter) so I can't think of a specific reason for the larger shaft other than what other have said so far.

OT: I have now recovered from my initial panic after seeing Admiral Kanos post in this thread. Yay! I didn't do anything wrong.

[Spanky The Dolphin]

Once construction was completed I would assume that the shafts would be sealed. They also don't seem to be so much shafts or tunnels but just the internals of DSII pushed around to make access space for construction.

EDIT: Bah, Dangermouse more or less beat me too it.

DM: In case you didn't know, the two-meter-wide thermal exaust ports have been done away with and replaced by millions of milimeter-wide vents with energy baffles and such. And if you're also unaware, I recommend SWTC's pages on the Death Stars.

[The Cleric]

More accurate scaling could come from the rebel briefing, and comparing it to the whole. It's diameter is something like 13% of the whole IIRC.

I had always taken that image as just a representation, and not a to-scale. If it is, then that is a DAMN big shaft going into there.

[Noble Ire]

Once construction was completed I would assume that the shafts would be sealed. They also don't seem to be so much shafts or tunnels but just the internals of DSII pushed around to make access space for construction.

EDIT: Bah, Dangermouse more or less beat me too it.

DM: In case you didn't know, the two-meter-wide thermal exaust ports have been done away with and replaced by millions of milimeter-wide vents with energy baffles and such. And if you're also unaware, I recommend SWTC's pages on the Death Stars.

Ha, I beat you both.

In my own, inarticulate way.

[Sharp-kun]

They were still constructing it after all. I assume doing something like that before it was completed would muck up construction, and after compleation, it would be a moot point.

As I recall, its stated in the novelisation that the fighters enter on the incomplete section of thr DSII. I would assume that this is because the shafts on the other side have all been closed over, while that one needs to remain open for construction.

[Uraniun235]

In a completed DS2, you would have to overcome DS2's shields, overcome DS2's defenses, and then blast through hundreds of kilometres of overlaying structure and armour in order to reach the reactor. It doesn't seem likely that it would need its own dedicated anti-torpedo defenses; any OPFOR that can do all of that would surely be able to overcome some reactor shielding, and by then one would imagine that so much damage has been done that DS2 is non-functional anyway.

That would have to be the great-granddaddy of all armadas to take on DS2 and win...

What a glorious battle it would be.

[Chmee]

Empty space left for Stormtrooper recreational activities ... Friday Night Podracing in historic NASCAR oval-course style .....