in the Rocket city inside the science of episode I II III IV V VI Folding three- Cybernetic position stock Radiator BLASTERS fins arms and legs “Ancient weapons “There’s a certain amount of The technology used to put Anakin Skywalker back are no match for inspiration that goes into future together — into the form of the fearsome Darth Vader a good blaster at concepts when we see these Heat — isn’t farfetched at all. Manmade arms and legs have vents ePiSoDe iii: been used for years, says Jeanne Cavelos, author of your side.” movies.” “The Science of Star Wars.” — Han Solo in — Dave DeYoung, director of Energy “Prosthetic limbs can even be outfitted with Episode IV Programs for Boeing’s Directed Energy A standard Revenge of the Sith temperature or pressure sensors,” she writes, “so that Systems group in Albuquerque, N.M. power cell will provide a Three years after the onset of the Clone Wars, the the temperature of a hot cup of coffee in a user’s noble Jedi Knights have been leading a massive hand or the pressure of the hand against the cup can stormtrooper with 100 blasts. clone army into a galaxy-wide battle against the be detected.” This will be even more important in Separatists. When the sinister Sith unveil a thou- the development of artificial legs with sensors in the Bullets of light? This could be important: sand-year-old plot to rule the galaxy, the Republic heels and toes that would allow a user to walk, run or, Standard blasters as used by soldiers and fighter ships in “Star Wars” crumbles and from its ashes rises the evil Galactic perhaps, fight with lightsabers. As far as we appear — emphasis on the “appear” part — to be made of light, like a can tell in Empire. Jedi hero Anakin Skywalker is seduced by “Scientists have even figured out how to make artificial laser beam. the movies, the dark side of the Force to become the Emperor’s limbs that can change skin tone to keep up with a stormtroopers new apprentice — Darth Vader. The Jedi are deci- “What you’re doing at the atomic level is you’re generating photons,” Range- user’s tan,” Cavelos writes. This suggests that Vader don’t often hit mated, as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Master Yoda says Gerald Wilson, lead for Directed Energy programs in the U.S. finding might enjoy a vacation one day relaxing beneath the their targets. are forced into hiding. The only hope for the galaxy Army Cruise Missile Defense Systems Project Office, Redstone sight twin suns of his home planet of Tatooine. Or, at least, Arsenal. “So you’re collimating those photons and projecting them in a are Anakin’s own offspring — the twin children born he might try the Death Star tanning salon. collimated fashion to whatever desired target.” in secrecy. Safety Directed by: George Lucas Collimate: Darth’s parts To make parallel; Released: May 19, 2005 Among the additions to Vader to line up Normal light Collimated light First weekend gross: $108.4 million following his disastrous duel with Total domestic gross: $380.3 million Obi-Wan in Episode III: This increases accuracy, among other things. “It’s like standing on the top of the Empire State Building and being able to hit a basketball out Total worldwide gross: $849.0 million in Colorado Springs,” Wilson says. Vision enhancement Academy Awards: Nominated in one category: “There have been various targets, real targets, that have been actually Makeup. Did not win. Respirator, artificial voice shot out of the air with lasers,” Wilson says. “In terms of relative size, equivalent to artillery pieces or guns, we’re there.” The good: The opening space dogfight and the subsequent crash landing onto Coruscant. Armor Adhesive grip The bad and the ugly: The climactic scene as Blasting ships Anakin becomes Vader — “Nooooo!” — always Control panel makes us laugh. And not in a good way. Some of the most spectacular “A bad feeling about this”: Obi-Wan to Anakin as Two artificial arms blaster use is in the giant space the elevator doors close near the start of the movie. battle that opens Episode III. Gas cartridge Limbs chopped off: a) Anakin cuts off both of “These large ships have so much Evidently, the body work cap Count Dooku’s hands (and then, at the urging of extra power that they can continue has affected neither Vader’s Palpatine, Dooku’s head). b) Obi-Wan cuts off two to be able to lase as long as you dexterity nor his command of Grevious’ six cybernetic hands during a lightsa- want,” says DeYoung. “How big your of the mysterious “Force.” ber fight. c) Jedi master Mace Windu loses his hand energy supply is is how long you can during a lightsaber battle in Palpatine’s office. hold your finger on the trigger.” Standard Two artificial legs The key for using laser-type blasters in these ships will be energy, blaster Great quote: DeYoung says. Generating it and Graphics, research by Charles Apple/Special to The Times storing it is the problem. But folks This is a typical blaster “Remember back to your Interviews, research by Kenneth Kesner/The Huntsville Times are working on this. as used by Imperial Stormtroopers in Episodes early teachings. ‘All who Sources: “The Science of Star Wars” by Jeanne Cavelos; “Star Wars: Where “The idea of having lasers on aircraft IV through VI. This particular gain power are afraid to Science Meets Imagination” by National Geographic and the Boston with nearly unlimited ‘magazines’ is one was liberated in the cloud Museum of Science; “Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary” by David lose it.’ Even the Jedi.” West Reynolds and James Luceno; AbsoluteAstronomy.com; StarWars. definitely within (10 to 20 years) of city of Bespin and wielded by com; Internet Movie Data Base; www.the-numbers.com; Lucasfilm Ltd. time frame,” says DeYoung. Princess Leia Organa. - Chancellor Palpatine images: Courtesy of Lucasfilm.