The concept of an automated battlemoon asteroid originated as a design proposal by the Galactic Republic's Special Weapons Group following the Naboo Crisis which occurred in 32 BBY. Due to the Republic's inherent pacifism and resulting financial constraints, this project remained purely theoretical and never advanced beyond the initial planning phases.
The battlemoon design was later referenced during the Clone Wars when comparisons were drawn to the Death Star proposal. However, Vice Chair Mas Amedda dismissed the battlemoon as insignificant when contrasted with the immense scope of Project Stardust.
The automated battlemoon asteroid was initially introduced to the Star Wars universe in Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel, a book written by James Luceno and published in 2016.