The Arakyd Industries Probe-Mate hyperspace pod was a streamlined hyperdrive- and sublight drive-equipped pod used to transport Viper probe droids through hyperspace.
Specifications
A Viper probe droid schematic, featuring the hyperspace pod
The pod was equipped with a fully automated droid brain with astrogation capabilities. It could carry one droid and land at a specific location, though its internal navigation computer was limited to one hyperspace jump. It was routinely launched from an Imperial-class Star Destroyer before entering hyperspace en route to a designated star system.[3]
It was 3.4 meters in length with consumables of up to one month; it had a maximum descent speed through atmosphere of 1,200 kph; and it was equipped with a variety of sensory functions, including a sensor baffler making it difficult to detect. Upon landing on a designated world, the pod was discarded, allowing the Viper probe droid to begin its search.[3]
Typically, Arakyd marketed the pod at 22,500 credits.[3]
Behind the scenes
A probe droid emerges from a shattered hyperspace pod.
Some illustrations of the pod, as seen in sources like The Essential Guide to Droids, differ visually from some portrayals of the vessel.
A few sources mention the Predator I, another hyperspace pod that can carry the Viper droid as well, but has different specifications than the Probe-Mate pod.[4]
Appearances
- Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back junior novelization
- Star Wars Manga: The Empire Strikes Back 1
- Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back novelization (and unabridged audiobook) (First appearance, in book)
- Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance
Sources
- Galaxy Guide 3: The Empire Strikes Back (as shell)
- The Movie Trilogy Sourcebook (First identified as Probe-Mate hyperspace pod)
- The DarkStryder Campaign
- The Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels (as Hyperdrive Pod)
- Galaxy Guide 3: The Empire Strikes Back, Second Edition
- Star Wars Trilogy Sourcebook, Special Edition
- Star Wars: Behind the Magic (as Probot Hyperspace Pod)
- Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance: Prima's Official Strategy Guide
- Rebellion Era Sourcebook
- The Official Star Wars Fact File 4 HOT 1-6: The Battle of Hoth
- The Official Star Wars Fact File 6 PRO 1-2: Arakyd Probot Series
- The Official Star Wars Fact File 11 STA 3-4: Imperial Star Destroyer (Indirect mention only)
- Star Wars Trading Card Game — The Empire Strikes Back Card: Probe Droid (backup link)
- Star Wars Trading Card Game — The Empire Strikes Back Card: Probe the Galaxy (backup link) (Picture only)