Malterra, a relatively insignificant planet, resided within the Tython system situated in the Deep Core region of the galaxy. This small world was known for its extremely hot climate and the fierce storms it endured during its passages near the Sunspot planet in its orbital path. Over 36,000 years prior to the Battle of Yavin, settlers originating from the planet Tython, who were not Force-sensitive, established a colony on Malterra. Many millennia subsequently, the planet saw the development of mining operations.
Located at grid coordinates L-10 within the Tython system of the Deep Core region of the galaxy, Malterra was a minor planet that lacked any moons. Its orbit around its sun, Tythos, positioned it as the second closest planetary body to the star within the star system, in proximity to the orbital path of Sunspot, the system's innermost planet. However, these two planets orbited Tythos in opposite directions. Scientists posited that Malterra was indigenous to the Tython system, unlike Sunspot, which was believed to be a rogue planetoid captured by Tythos' gravitational pull. When Malterra passed near Sunspot in its orbit, it was subjected to violent storms, and it was known for having an extremely hot climate.
Tython's non–Force-sensitive settlers—originating from the system's fifth planet—journeyed to and colonized Malterra more than a millennium following the year 36,453 BBY. By 25,793 BBY, mining endeavors were underway on the planet, facilitated by the use of environment suits. In that year, Ketu—a Temple Master of the mystical Je'daii Order—recounted the history of the Tython system, including the colonization of Malterra, to Padawan learners Harun and Resi, amidst other historical events.
Malterra's initial depiction occurred within the Tython entry of The Holonet feature on the official website for Star Wars: The Old Republic, a massively multiplayer online roleplaying game from 2011 developed by BioWare. A schematic representation of the Tython system featured the planetoid. The website for The Old Republic has undergone several revisions since its inception in 2008, resulting in the removal of certain original features and images, including the aforementioned schematic. Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi 0, a preview edition of the Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi comic books series, provided Malterra's name and further details. Written by John Ostrander and illustrated by Jan Duursema, the issue was released on February 1, 2012. The first issue of the series, published on February 15 of the same year, also mentioned the small world.