Urthak, characterized by its miserable and warm atmosphere, served as one of the many destinations where the Galactic Empire deployed its military personnel. Back in 13 BBY, Han Solo, then an Imperial cadet stationed at the Empire's Carida Academy, shared with fellow cadets Lyttan and Tamu Dree his aspiration to return to his home planet, Corellia, after joining the Empire. The Dree brothers, however, disregarded his optimism, suggesting he would likely be assigned to places like Urthak or Mimban instead.
The initial edition of the Star Wars: Han Solo - Imperial Cadet comic miniseries from 2018 featured a reference to Urthak. Robbie Thompson penned the issue, which Marvel Comics released on November 7, 2018.