The E3-standard starship lifeboat represents a specific model of escape pod. It was produced by the organization known as His Grace the Duke Gadal-Herm's Safety Inspectorate. Notably, Grand Master Yoda utilized this type of vessel to journey to the planet Dagobah, where he chose to live in exile following the rise of the Galactic Empire.
This particular escape pod was equipped with four primary legs, featuring clamp locks designed to prevent unwanted movement. To secure occupants during transit, Tractor Field Restraints were implemented. The ship's engine was notably slow, even when compared to other civilian vehicles, generating a thrust of only 300G. For improved safety, illuminated steps were integrated into the landing ramp, ensuring adequate visibility in dimly lit landing areas.
Despite its compact size, the lifeboat provided adequate living quarters for beings of Yoda's relatively small stature. During his period of exile on Dagobah, the lifeboat initially served as Yoda's shelter, offering a protected camp against the planet's heavy rains, pests, and predatory creatures. However, due to the swampy conditions of Dagobah, the craft began to deteriorate within a year. As the swamp consumed his initial shelter, Yoda constructed a new home for himself, incorporating salvaged components from the pod, and resided there until his death.
Originally, the E3-standard starship lifeboat was intended to appear in the 2005 film Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, specifically in a scene depicting Yoda's journey to Dagobah aboard the ship. However, this scene was ultimately removed from the final version of the film. Footage from this deleted scene, showcasing the lifeboat, is used in the Yoda Biography Gallery on the Databank. The designation of the craft as canon was confirmed in Ultimate Star Wars, a reference book that was released on April 28, 2015.