The Starlight Beacon's inauguration marked the commencement of the Starlight Beacon project, which represented the high point of Supreme Chancellor Lina Soh's ambitious Great Works initiative. As part of Soh's broader strategy, Starlight Beacon aimed to broaden the Galactic Republic's influence within the Outer Rim Territories. Several incidents, such as the Great Hyperspace Disaster and the subsequent Emergences orchestrated by the Nihil pirates, caused delays in the ceremony. The ceremony was nearly derailed by the pirate leader Cyrus Vuundir, who made off with the dedication plaque. Despite these difficulties, the ceremony proceeded as scheduled, with prominent Jedi figures and Republic officials delivering addresses.
The space station was envisioned as a beacon of peace and optimism from the Galactic Republic to the Outer Rim Territories. It embodied everything that Soh hoped her government would represent. The formal opening was almost delayed due to the Great Hyperspace Disaster and the resulting Emergences, a string of hyperspace calamities brought on by the Nihil raiders that prompted the Chancellor to shut down travel lanes in the Outer Rim. Starlight Beacon was unofficially opened to the public around this time to provide medical care to those affected by the disasters. However, following the involvement of a joint task force comprising members of the Republic Defense Coalition and the Jedi, the official dedication took place as planned in the year 232 BBY.
Before the ceremony, Prince Cyrus Vuundir, who was secretly the pirate known as Taborr Val Dorn, attempted to steal the dedication plaque from Starlight Beacon. He manipulated the Jedi younglings Kai Brightstar, Lys Solay, and Nubs into giving him a tour of the facility. Upon discovering Taborr's presence, the three Jedi pursued him throughout the station. Following a crucial standoff, Taborr avoided capture by threatening to harm Vuundir, claiming that his gang had taken him hostage. Because of this incident and earlier encounters with other Jedi, Vuundir began to develop a greater respect for his Jedi adversaries and began to doubt his double life.
The ceremony took place in Starlight Beacon's large, domed hall, with representatives from all over the galaxy in attendance, including numerous members of the Jedi Order. Addresses were delivered by Supreme Chancellor Lina Soh, Grand Master Yoda, Queen Consort Thandeka of the nearby planet Eiram, and Jedi Master Avar Kriss, whom Grand Masters Pra-Tre Veter and Yoda had appointed as marshal of the station. The dedication culminated in a historic moment where every Jedi raised their lightsabers to the stars, symbolically representing the light that the Beacon would spread throughout the Republic. Together, the Jedi declared their purpose and what they serve: light and life.
After the ceremony, Elzar Mann, who had just been promoted to Jedi Master, was struck by a disturbing Force vision that depicted the deaths of himself and his fellow Jedi. On that day, Mann's thoughts shifted from beauty and hope to terror and fear. Meanwhile, elsewhere on the beacon, Sskeer began to fall apart, overwhelmed by the tumultuous events leading up to the Beacon's dedication.