How does the Death Star really work?

Well, the truth is that the Death Star does not really work, because it is imaginary. (Thank goodness!) But if we were living in the Star Wars movies and the Death Star was real, how would it really work? HowStuffWorks explains.

It's incredibly geeky but undeniably interesting stuff, culled from all sorts of Lucas-approved sources.

Tours on the Death Star last at least 180 days and usually much longer. Personnel are often in deep space without leave for months at a time, and since the location of the Death Star is always classified, contact with family or friends is strictly prohibited. This can make life on the Death Star very difficult. To ease the burden of this duty the station is outfitted with many civilian amenities. The general sector of each zone in the Death Star has a park, shopping centers and recreation areas that include restaurants, a cinema and fitness centers.

I'm inexplicably amused by the idea of a couple of Storm Troopers grabbing a bite at the Death Star Burger Barn and then catching Die Rebel Scum: The Movie at the Death Star Cinema 9.

Got a tip for Monsters and Rockets? Want to contribute to the site? Send us an email.