The Star Wars universe is filled with various planets, ships, and a wide array of characters that have become integral pieces of the story. However, more than that, there are space stations that have also managed to stick in the minds of many fans due to their roles in major events.
While there are a few space stations that are particularly well-known to Star Wars fans, some of them have played important roles in the franchise without their names being as familiar to the wider fan base. From the military to civilians and everything in between, the Star Wars franchise has some hugely important space stations.
7 The Death Star
Obviously, the best-known space station in the entire Star Wars universe is the Death Star. The ultimate vision of Emperor Palpatine, this military space station had both the capability to traverse the stars at light speed and the devastating ability to completely destroy a planet with the beam built into the side of the station. It's as much of a ship as it is a station.
The Death Star was one of the most terrifying forces the Galaxy had ever seen. It took decades to put it in operation after it was initially conceived during the Clone Wars. Palpatine’s goal was to force everyone in the galaxy to submit to his rule by force, and if the Death Star had not been destroyed by Luke Skywalker, then it could have happened.
6 Glavis Ringworld
A space station that appeared in The Mandalorian, Glavis Ringworld was a location used by the Mandalorians to hide in secret. The Ringworld encircled a small star and was constantly bathed in sunlight from it. The artificial gravity working in a circular pattern made it possible for people to fall off.
Not much is known currently about the history of Glavis Ringworld, or what state it was in during the time of the Empire’s rule. But in the New Republic era, it seemed a peaceful place and was thus chosen by the Mandalorians for their temporary base.
5 Citadel Of Rur
The Doctor Aphra comic book series has been an interesting place for Star Wars fans to learn more about the wider galaxy. An archaeologist originally recruited for missions by Darth Vader, Aphra got her own comic book series in 2016, which introduced a number of new locations to the Star Wars Universe.
This included the Citadel of Rur, also known as the Fortress of Garn, which was the fortress headquarters of the Ordu Aspectu. This group was a splinter from the Jedi Order, which eventually fell prey to an AI that killed them all. Believed to be a myth, Doctor Aphra found the legendary space station in her comic series.
4 Death Star II
Of course, the Empire didn’t just build one Death Star. Insisting even after the Battle of Yavin that there was a way for them to rebuild and dominate the galaxy just as they had originally planned, they began in secret to construct a second Death Star.
This space station, though it almost never managed to become fully operational, was integral to the finale of the original Star Wars trilogy. The Death Star II was set to become just as powerful and dangerous as the original Death Star, and without intervention and a bit of luck for the Rebel Alliance, it could have ruled the galaxy.
3 Vranki’s Hotel And Casino
Appearing in an episode of Star Wars: Resistance, Vrank’s Casino was a space station that couldn’t have been more different from the likes of the Death Star. Run by Vranki the Blue, a member of the Hutt Crime Family, it was a seat of power and much revenue for the family during the war between the Resistance and the First Order.
While most space stations in the Star Wars Universe aren’t built purely for battle like the Death Stars were, it is unusual to find one that is purely commercially based.
2 Roost
Another space station that was introduced as part of the expanding Star Wars Universe in The Mandalorian, the Roost was a small station without much weaponry. Roost was used as a base for the mercenary crew that Mando met in “The Prisoner” episode in season 1.
This crew hired Din Djarin to help them break their comrade out of a New Republic prison transport. They betrayed Din, but he got vengeance on them by bringing their comrade back and attaching a tracker to him that the New Republic could follow.
1 Sorca Retreat
Sorca Retreat was another space station that appeared in the Doctor Aphra comic book series. While it wasn’t a major location, it was where Aphra went to host an auction for the Rur crystal which she located in the Citadel of Rur.
Aphra is a complete rogue, and her actions helped lead to Eternal Rur taking over a droid and fighting Darth Vader on the Sorca Retreat in what was one of the more fascinating battles in Star Wars comic books. Vader, having been credited with destroying the Jedi Order, proclaimed that none shall escape him before engaging in the duel with the possessed droid. Sorca Retreat hasn’t been seen since this skirmish, but it was a fascinating moment in the world of Star Wars comics.