# How did they aim Starkiller Base in SW:TFA? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 7, 2016, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738 "2016-06-07T14:37:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2016, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/21 "2016-06-08T03:47:00Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > But a star only gets you two shots, right? So if you use up the star as a weapon, where does the energy come from to move the planet? And what makes the trees n plants grow while in between stars? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2016, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/22 "2016-06-08T04:11:55Z")
I didn’t even go to the effect on the planet of all this lurching and steering, but yes. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2016, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/23 "2016-06-08T04:42:16Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > If it has interstellar travel capability, I have to assume it can turn… The steering system uses a planetary gear. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2016, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/24 "2016-06-08T05:00:25Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Like phase array radar: the multiple beams interfere/reinforce each other to create an aiming point at some angle away from directly above it. > > (We can actually do this!) Thanks, this actually answers the question! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2016, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/25 "2016-06-08T05:16:44Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Thanks, this actually answers the question! 🙂 Alas, although it makes speculative sense, it is just something I whipped out of the nether recesses of my digestive anatomy. It’s how an intelligent engineer would design the system; no one knows how it works in the movie! ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2016, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/26 "2016-06-08T12:50:45Z")
They used the MILK\* targeting system. \*Make It Look Kewl. ---
**Author:** ![Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2016, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/27 "2016-06-08T13:53:43Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > I hope when I’m watching the movie again in 5,10 years, its stupidity doesn’t overwhelm the movie. Honestly, it’s not a good movie. A lot of people has defended the total ripoff of \*A New Hope \* as some kind of palate cleanser after the prequels but it’s lazy and trying to play it safe. Doesn’t help that all the stolen elements are much lamer in _TFA_ with _Starkiller Base_ being the prime example. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2016, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/28 "2016-06-08T13:55:41Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > It really is a stupid weapon, isn’t it? The Death Star is a perfectly fine weapon in comparison. > I hope when I’m watching the movie again in 5,10 years, its stupidity doesn’t overwhelm the movie. The “villain” is such a weenie, you probably won’t even notice. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2016, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/29 "2016-06-08T14:01:06Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > If it has interstellar travel capability, I have to assume it can turn… > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > The steering system uses a planetary gear. I want you to go to your room and THINK about what you did… ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2016, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738/30 "2016-06-08T18:56:41Z")
They fire it once a day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-aim-starkiller-base-in-sw-tfa/756738.md?page=1)