 | |
| Imperial Probe Droid | |
| Type: | Robot |
| Continuity: | Star Wars |
| Aliases: | Probot [1] Imperial probe droid [2] |
| Availability: | Uncommon item |
| Manufacturer: | Arakyd Industries [3] |
| 1st appearance: | Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back |
A Viper probe droid, also known as an Imperial probe droid, is a fictional robot featured in the Star Wars multimedia franchise. It first appeared in the 1980 film Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.
Description[]
The Viper probe droid was a non-humanoid robot employed by the First Galactic Empire. It consisted of a metallic hub-body and thorax, and a rotating head mount. Five extender legs enabled it to move more effectively across rough terrain, but it was also powered by its own short-range thrust system. The Viper droids are not particularly durable and can be destroyed easily. [4]
History[]
In 3 ABY, the Galactic Empire sent thousands of Viper probe droids across the galaxy in search of any elements of the Alliance to Restore the Republic, including fleet movement and base of operations. One such probe was launched from an Imperial Star Destroyer in the Hoth system and landed on the icy planet of Hoth. It emerged from the frozen environs and began scanning pertinent data relating to the area. It traveled across the bleak tundra until it came near Echo Base, which is where the Rebels had established their base. It began transmitting information to the Imperial fleet just as the Rebels became aware of its presence.
General Han Solo and his partner Chewbacca went out to intercept the probe. Chewbacca distracted it by howling from behind a small oucropping of rock, giving Solo the chance to attack it. He fired only one shot, but it was sufficient enough to destroy the probe.
When Solo reported back in to the Alliance leaders, it was determined that Hoth was no longer safe, and evacuation procedures commenced. [4]
Notes[]
- It has been theorized has an automated self-destruct command should anyone attempt to tamper with or destroy it. Han Solo believed that this could be the reason he was able to utterly destroy it with just a single blaster shot.
- A toy version of the Viper probe droid was presented in the Star Wars: Turret and Probot playset, along with the DF.9 Turret , which was released by Kenner in 1981 as part of their Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back toy line. The toy could be inserted onto a plastic plug, which gave it the illusion of hovering above the ground.
See also[]
Media
The World of Star Wars
Star Wars miscellaneous
References[]
- ↑ Star Wars: Turret and Probot playset. Kenner Toys.
- ↑ Informal name attributed to it by Leia Organa.
- ↑ Star Wars Galaxy Guide 3: The Empire Strikes Back
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back; 1980; Lucasfilm Ltd., 20th Century Fox. Directed by Irvin Kershner.