Outpost 17 existed as a distant station, positioned in orbit around Durace, a planet situated within the Unknown Regions.
In the time of the New Republic era, Outpost 17 was built to circle the planet Durace in orbit, providing a secure location for scientists to investigate the planet's weather patterns and surface characteristics. This station also functioned as a resupply hub for scouts operating in the Unknown Regions.
The Yuuzhan Vong War resulted in the outpost's destruction, which led to the proliferation of various legendary accounts concerning the fate of its wreckage. These stories often suggested that the outpost had plummeted to Durace, supposedly holding a significant treasure. Some versions of these tales identified the treasure as a precious ore, while others suggested it was the lightsaber that belonged to Jedi Grand Master Luke Skywalker.