Heat sinks, alternatively referred to as waste heat sinks or radiators, served the purpose of extracting excess heat produced by the systems of a starship (or other vehicle) and releasing it into the nearby surroundings. This process ensured that the system's elements remained within their standard operational temperature range, thereby averting failures and dysfunctions. During Tam Ryvora's repair of a racing starfighter (a Fireball), her parts list, written in Aurebesh, specified "4 heat sinks." Similarly, an inventory list in Aurebesh at the Office of Acquisitions on the Colossus mentioned "8 heat sinks."