Few moments in cinematic history are as iconic as when Luke Skywalker destroys the Death Star in “Star Wars: A New Hope.”
Fans have long admired the seemingly impossible shot he makes, turning 90 degrees to hit a tiny exhaust port and save the Rebel Alliance.
But what made this shot possible?
Let’s delve into the details and explore two compelling theories.
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The Rebel Attack Plan
In a tense briefing, Rebel pilots learn about their daunting mission to destroy the first Death Star by targeting a minuscule thermal exhaust port only two meters wide.
General Jan Dodonna, the strategist behind the plan, outlines the challenge:
“The battle station is heavily shielded and carries a firepower greater than half the star fleet.
Its defenses are designed around a direct large-scale assault.
A small one-man fighter should be able to penetrate the outer defense.”
One pilot voices a concern, “Pardon me for asking, sir, but what good are snub fighters going to be against that?”
Dodonna explains, “The Empire doesn’t consider a small one-man fighter to be any threat, or they’d have a tighter defense.
An analysis of the plans provided by Princess Leia has demonstrated a weakness in the battle station.
The approach will not be easy.
You’re required to maneuver straight down this trench and skim the surface to this point.
The target area is only two meters wide.
It’s a small thermal exhaust port right below the main port.
The shaft leads directly to the reactor system.
A precise hit will start a chain reaction which should destroy the station.
Only a precise hit will set up a chain reaction.”
To avoid heavy turret fire, the pilots must fly through a narrow trench on the Death Star’s surface and fire proton torpedoes with perfect timing and precision.
Dodonna concludes with a rallying cry, “Then man your ships, and may the Force be with you.”
How Luke Skywalker Makes the Impossible 90-Degree Turn Shot
The Force and Jedi Foresight Helped Luke
One popular theory is that Luke relied on the Force to make the shot.
During the critical moment, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s voice urges Luke, “Use the Force, Luke.”
This pivotal guidance leads Luke to switch off his targeting computer and trust his Jedi instincts.
Jedi are known for their ability to sense the future, allowing them to act at precisely the right moment.
This foresight likely helped Luke fire the torpedoes at the perfect time, enabling the necessary 90-degree turn into the exhaust port.
Obi-Wan’s voice plays a crucial role, encouraging Luke to rely on his instincts over technology.
The scene echoes young Anakin Skywalker’s use of the Force to win a podrace with incredible reflexes and foresight.
Luke’s calm concentration during the shot highlights his deep connection to the Force, suggesting it influenced the torpedoes’ trajectory and ensured the hit.
Advanced Guidance Systems Aided the Proton Torpedoes
Another theory attributes the successful shot to advanced technology.
The Krupx MG7-A proton torpedoes used by X-wing starfighters come equipped with sophisticated targeting computers capable of adjusting their path after being fired.
Even amid chaotic battle conditions, these torpedoes could potentially make the critical 90-degree turn to reach the exhaust port.
The Star Wars New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology notes the exceptional accuracy of these torpedoes, which can home in on targets effectively.
The Rebel pilots’ briefing emphasizes that these torpedoes are designed to adjust their trajectory, supporting the idea that advanced guidance systems played a significant role in making the impossible shot possible.
A Nod to History: Inspiration from The Dam Busters
The dramatic scene where Luke destroys the Death Star was inspired by the 1955 film The Dam Busters.
In this World War II movie, pilots had to drop barrel bombs at precise moments so they would skip across water and hit the base of a German dam, much like Luke’s torpedoes had to navigate the trench.
This parallel highlights the connection between the Star Wars scene and the earlier film’s concept.