Inertial compensator

Inertial dampeners were used to protect pilots from the intense g-forces of combat maneuvers.

The inertial compensator, also known as the inertial damper, acceleration compensator, deceleration compensator, or deceleration equalizer, was a technology used in starships, especially in starfighters and other high-performance vessels. It compensated for the intense accelerations that a spaceship underwent in the course of its normal activities; without compensators, ships would either have to accelerate much more slowly, or kill their occupants with excessive g-forces.

Inertial compensators were often dialed back from full power by experienced pilots (from 97 to 95 percent), giving them just enough inertia to feel how the ship was performing without negatively impacting their ability to pilot the ship.

Though used primarily in starships, an inertial compensator could be installed in an airspeeder. Senator Simon Greyshade used one in his custom Narglatch XJ-6 airspeeder to protect riders from the harsh maneuvers the craft was capable of.

Inertial compensators were also used in simulators, making them more realistic by creating artificial sensations of acceleration. They were also used in Senate Building turbolifts.

Behind the scenes

The 1998 Star Wars Encyclopedia has an "acceleration compensator" entry, which says these are used in "medium- and larger-sized spacecraft such as the Millennium Falcon." However, earlier books, such as X-Wing: Rogue Squadron, depict acceleration compensators in X-wings.

Inertial compensators may or may not be the same as repulsor-compensators.

Appearances

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 44: The Reaping, Part 2 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords Template:TOR (Mentioned only) Jedi Apprentice: The Deadly Hunter "The Clone Wars: The Pengalan Tradeoff" — Star Wars Insider 65 Labyrinth of Evil Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight Therefore I Am: The Tale of IG-88 (First identified as inertial damping system) Lando Calrissian and the Flamewind of Oseon (First identified as inertial damper) Han Solo at Stars' End (First appearance) (First identified as acceleration compensator) The Force Unleashed novel (as inertial dampener) (Mentioned only) Rebel Force: Firefight Allegiance Battle of the Bounty Hunters "The Spira Regatta" — Star Wars Adventure Journal 1 (As "inertia compensator") "The Spira Regatta" — The Best of the Star Wars Adventure Journal, Issues 1-4 (As "inertia compensator") (Reprint) "Missed Chance" — Star Wars Adventure Journal 7 (as acceleration compensator) "The Great Herdship Heist" — Star Wars Adventure Journal 15 (as acceleration compensator) Shadows of the Empire comic (as inertial damper) "Treasure Hunt" — Twin Stars of Kira (As "inertial damper") X-Wing: Rogue Squadron (as acceleration compensator) X-Wing: Wedge's Gamble (as acceleration compensation unit) X-Wing: The Krytos Trap (as acceleration compensator) X-Wing: Wraith Squadron X-Wing: Iron Fist X-Wing: Solo Command The Courtship of Princess Leia (as acceleration compensator) Tatooine Ghost (as acceleration compensator) (Mentioned only) Heir to the Empire (as acceleration compensator) X-Wing: Isard's Revenge Dark Empire II (First identified as accelerator compensator) Dark Apprentice (as acceleration compensator) I, Jedi (as inertial damper) X-Wing: Starfighters of Adumar Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Before the Storm Showdown at Centerpoint (as inertial damper) The New Jedi Order: Vector Prime The New Jedi Order: Dark Tide I: Onslaught The New Jedi Order: Dark Tide II: Ruin The New Jedi Order: Agents of Chaos I: Hero's Trial The New Jedi Order: Balance Point The New Jedi Order: Edge of Victory I: Conquest The New Jedi Order: Edge of Victory II: Rebirth Emissary of the Void The New Jedi Order: Star by Star The New Jedi Order: Dark Journey The New Jedi Order: Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream The New Jedi Order: Ylesia The New Jedi Order: Force Heretic I: Remnant The New Jedi Order: Force Heretic III: Reunion (First identified as inertial dampener) The New Jedi Order: The Final Prophecy (Mentioned only) The New Jedi Order: The Unifying Force Dark Nest I: The Joiner King Dark Nest III: The Swarm War Legacy of the Force: Bloodlines (as damper) Legacy of the Force: Tempest Legacy of the Force: Exile Legacy of the Force: Inferno (Mentioned only) Legacy of the Force: Fury Legacy of the Force: Invincible Crosscurrent (First identified as internal compensator) Millennium Falcon Fate of the Jedi: Outcast Fate of the Jedi: Abyss Fate of the Jedi: Conviction Fate of the Jedi: Apocalypse (Mentioned only) X-Wing: Mercy Kill

Sources

• A Guide to the Star Wars Universe (As "acceleration compensator")
• The Star Wars Sourcebook (As "Acceleration Compensator")
• Starfighter Battle Book: X-wing vs TIE Interceptor (As "Acceleration Compensator")
• Rebel Alliance Sourcebook (As "Acceleration Compensator")
• The Movie Trilogy Sourcebook (As "inertial dampening system")
• A Guide to the Star Wars Universe, Second Edition
• Rebel Alliance Sourcebook, Second Edition
• Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook
• The Secrets of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire
• Star Wars Encyclopedia
• Star Wars: Episode I Incredible Cross-Sections
• The New Jedi Order Sourcebook
• The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
• Star Wars: The Official Starships & Vehicles Collection 24
• Millennium Falcon Owners' Workshop Manual
• Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game — IG-2000 Expansion Pack (Card: Inertial Dampeners)

Notes and references

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