Tracking beacon (Star Wars)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In the fictional Star Wars universe, tracking beacons (also called homing beacons) are electronic devices that are attached to subjects the user wishes to follow or hunt down. They work by sending out a signal from wherever they are, and can even be tracked through hyperspace, as is the case with the Millennium Falcon and the Slave I in Episodes IV and II, respectively.
In Episode IV, Darth Vader has a tracking beacon attached to the Millennium Falcon. Luke, Han and Leia are followed to Yavin 4 by the Death Star in an attempt to destroy the rebel base.
In Episode II, Obi-Wan attaches a tracking beacon to the Slave I in order to follow Jango Fett to Geonosis.
[edit] Slave-tracking beacons
Despite the Republic's anti-slavery laws, it still exists in some of the more remote planets, such as Tatooine. All slaves have a tracking beacon placed in their body somewhere, with a deadly neurotoxin. The owner can activate the neurotoxin him/herself, or, should the slave escape beyond the range of the tracker, the neurotoxin will be activated automatically. This serves as a relatively successful deterrent for slaves who wish to escape.
In Episode I, Anakin and Shmi Skywalker both have a tracking device. Anakin reveals that he is working on an invention to locate his device, but eventually had no need of it, as he was freed by Qui-Gon Jinn.
