Spaceport

A small spaceport on Tatooine ca. 3653 BBY

A spaceport or starport was a site for launching and receiving spacecraft.

History

Depending on the customs procedures of the world, the spaceport could be orbital or planetside. Some planetary governments did not allow foreign spacecraft to enter the upper atmosphere and required visitors to dock their starships at an orbital spaceport, transporting to the surface using official transportation.

The term 'spaceport' designated a facility capable of servicing multiple spacecraft in an official capacity and was open to any civilian vessel with proper clearance. This was distinguishable from a 'landing pad,' which was a private facility, typically capable of servicing one spacecraft at a time.

In Herglese the term for a spaceport was shan-pakk. Due to the influence of Herglic trading in the Tapani sector this term was in wide use throughout the sector.

This article is a stub about a structure or a building. You can help Wookieepedia by expanding it.

Classification system

There were five different classes of starports, describing the magnitude of the landing facilities, the availability of goods and services and the amount of security.^[1] The classification system was maintained by the Space Ministry, which inspected existing starports and gave out certificates.^[2] The system was deviced by the Old Republic and taken over with minimal change with the ascension of the Galactic Empire.^[1]

However, these classes were not absolute, but more generalizations. Costs, fees and availability of goods often depended on the local star system's economy, the state of the starport's administration and the funding, legal or otherwise. Starports, for example those subsidized by the Imperial Navy, often had lower costs. Also, different personalities of Imperial Customs officers and starport personnel and different local practices made each location unique.^[1]

Landing Field

Often nothing more than a leveled area of dirt or duracrete, these kind of "starports" had little to no services or flight control, often not even a beacon. What was available was often affordable by the average spacer, but lacked in quality.^[1]

Limited Services

Limited Services included a control tower with landing beacon, small sheds with docking, storage and maintenance areas for only the most primitive repairs. Often nearby areas were used as landings fields in case the starport was full. Supplies and goods had to be purchased from outside the port.^[1]

Standard Class

These starport had fully staffed and equipped flight control centers and on-site restocking services. The starport had a small shipyard and was capable of minor repairs and modifications. Costs for these services could go up to double the normal price and took twice as long to finish. Quality ranged from mediocre to very good.^[1]

Stellar Class

Stellar Class starports had landing and docking for nearly any kind of vessel. Shipyards and repair facilities surround the port and were capable of any repair job or modification, assuming that the customer was willing to pay for it. The quality of service was very good and affordable. Stellar Class starports often had a Customs office on site and a large Navy presence in the system.^[1]

Republic Class/Imperial Class

Republic or Imperial Class starports were the most luxurious and modern starports in the galaxy. Originally named Republic Class during the days of the Old Republic, they were renamed as Imperial Class during the reign of the Galactic Empire. A wide array of docking facilities and the most lavish and advanced amenities and servieces were available for spacers. The system's companies and merchants had offices directly at the starport. A captain often had not even to leave the port for conducting all of his business.^[1]

Customs offices were often staffed by highly competent officers and the government kept a high presence at these ports. Troublemakers, such as smugglers, could expect thorough searches and checks and to feel the full extent of the law.^[1]