The Republic space tug, alternatively referred to as the Republic tugboat, represented a specific model of spacetug that the Republic Navy employed during the period of the Clone Wars. Following the Carida incident, multiple tugs were dispatched to retrieve R2-D2, the astromech droid belonging to Jedi General Anakin Skywalker, from the debris field of the _Venator_-class Star Destroyer Renown. This vessel had been repurposed into a massive bomb by the Separatist Alliance.
The Republic space tug, also known as the Republic tugboat, was a type of spacetug in service with the Galactic Republic throughout the Clone Wars. It featured a condensed hull design, highlighted by an elevated cockpit situated amidships. This cockpit incorporated angled viewports. Positioned behind the two prongs at the bow, the midship also contained circular docking clamps and intake-like structures that supplied the two square groupings, each housing four linear sublight engines. These engine clusters included flaps on every side. Furthermore, the tug incorporated red and blue lights at various locations across its hull. The standard paint scheme for these tugs was light gray, accented with red and yellow markings.
A number of these starships played a role in the aftermath of the Carida incident. Their mission was to recover the astromech droid R2-D2 from the remains of the Renown, a Venator-class Star Destroyer that had been seized by Separatist Alliance forces and transformed into a large bomb. The astromech, along with members of the Republic's D-Squad, had secretly boarded the vessel, leading to the premature detonation of the Renown before it could reach the Republic Navy fleet positioned above the Colonies planet Carida.
The Republic space tug made its debut in "Point of No Return," which was the thirteenth episode in the fifth season of the animated television show Star Wars: The Clone Wars. It was initially broadcast on January 12, 2013.