Theta-class T-2c shuttle

The Theta-class shuttle, also known as the Theta-class T-2c shuttle, was a shuttle type manufactured by Cygnus Spaceworks upon the specific request of Palpatine, the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars, meaning it was never available for purchase by the general public. This shuttle could achieve velocities of 2,000 kilometers per hour, measured 18.5 meters in length, included a Class 1 hyperdrive, was armed with one laser cannon along with two quad laser cannons, required a minimum crew of two pilots, and had capacity for at least four passengers. It featured two landing gear legs and a forward-facing ramp for entering and exiting. Furthermore, the shuttle contained at least one medical capsule.

This shuttle featured a pair of side wings that angled downward and elevated into an upright position for landing. A central fin, which housed the ray shield generator, was also present. The side wings were designed to dissipate heat collected by the shield. The cockpit was located at the front of the craft, and included a reinforced window to safeguard high-profile passengers. A secondary gunnery station was situated within the cabin.

The Theta-class shuttle's primary function was to transport high-ranking personnel, including Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, who later became the Emperor. High-ranking officers within the Galactic Empire's navy also utilized this shuttle.

During the Clone Wars, Darth Sidious, acting under the guise of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, placed a special order with Cygnus Spaceworks for the creation of the Theta-class shuttle. Consequently, it was never made available for public acquisition. Shortly after the establishment of the Galactic Empire, with Darth Sidious as Emperor, and the commencement of the Great Jedi Purge, Sidious sensed that his newly appointed Sith apprentice, [Darth Vader](/article/anakin_skywalker], was imperiled during his duel with his former Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. He then commanded Mas Amedda, the Grand Vizier, to instruct Captain Kagi to prepare his Theta-class shuttle for immediate deployment to Mustafar. Sidious successfully rescued Vader, transporting him to the Grand Republic Medical Facility on Coruscant for medical attention.

One day following the Empire's formation, Imperial Intelligence initiated a mass arrest of senators, resulting in the detention of sixty-three individuals. A number of these senators were subsequently loaded onto a Theta-class shuttle. In the early years of the Empire, Sidious deployed the Theta-class to transport Vader to Gattering in the Mid Rim, enabling him to begin his search for a kyber crystal. In the early days of the Empire, a Theta-class T-2c shuttle transported Sidious and Vader to the Inquisitorius Headquarters in order for Vader to take command of the Inquisitorius. The shuttle was eventually integrated into the Imperial Navy, where it continued to serve high-ranking officers. In 14 BBY, during the Berch Teller campaign, Wilhuff Tarkin, a Moff, requested a Theta-class T-2c shuttle from the captain of the Venator-class Star Destroyer Liberator for transport to the Goliath.

The Theta-class T-2c shuttle made its debut appearance in Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. Its design was intended as a tribute to the Lambda-class T-4a shuttle, which first appeared in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. The tri-wing configuration of the Theta-class T-2c shuttle was intentionally made less angular, featuring a less aggressive cockpit, to diminish the obvious association with the villains' mode of transport. Although primarily rendered using CGI in Episode III, the boarding ramp was created as a practical effect and filmed against a greenscreen for the scene depicting Darth Sidious emerging with Darth Vader's charred body on Coruscant.