The Eta-class shuttle, alternatively known as the Jedi ambassador shuttle, Republic executive shuttle, or Republic ambassadorial shuttle, represented a shuttle design produced by Cygnus Spaceworks. It saw usage by both the Galactic Senate and the Republic Ambassadorial Corps for various diplomatic assignments. Later, during the Clone Wars, the Jedi Order also employed it. The Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Sidious utilized a specially modified Eta-class as his personal shuttle near the Clone Wars' conclusion. He journeyed in this vessel to the planet of Mandalore with the aim of disrupting the power consolidation of his former apprentice, Maul.
During the New Republic Era, a version of the Eta-class shuttle was flown by Baylan Skoll, an ex-Jedi Knight who had become a mercenary, along with his apprentice Shin Hati. They used it while searching for Grand Admiral Thrawn around 9 ABY. The Bokken Jedi Ezra Bridger then commandeered the shuttle, landing it inside the Home One hangar.
The Eta-class shuttle from Cygnus Spaceworks' was a demonstration of elegant practicality, appearing before the outbreak of the Clone Wars between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. This shuttlecraft, relatively compact at 14.2 meters in length, was initially conceived as a VIP transport for the Republic Ambassadorial Corps and the Galactic Senate, carrying a price tag of 100,000 credits. However, with the onset of war on Geonosis, the Grand Army of the Republic and the Jedi Order both began utilizing the shuttles. Certain models were upgraded to include hidden triple light laser cannons and stealth technology, transforming them into covert operations vessels.
The Eta-class shuttle offered comfortable seating for ten passengers and could accommodate up to 100 metric tons of luggage, along with enough supplies to last for two months. Each shuttle also included two folding Undicur-class jumpspeeders. The shuttle was equipped with short-range sensors and a navigation computer, and a Class 2 hyperdrive generator with a Class 12 backup. It could reach a maximum atmospheric speed of 750 kilometers per hour.
The Eta-class shuttle made its debut in "Grievous Intrigue", which was episode nine of the second season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the animated television program. It was initially broadcast on January 1, 2010. The shuttle's design originated from concept art created by Joe Johnston for what eventually became the Lambda-class T-4a shuttle in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi.
The 2018 reference work Star Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles by Landry Q. Walker, released by Dorling Kindersley, was the first instance of the shuttle's identification within current Canon.