Gizmodo Australia » death star

Death Star Costume Doesn’t Take Into Account The Use Of Arms

Adam Frucci — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:40:00 +0000

“That’s no moon… that’s a guy standing by himself in the corner at a party.” [HolyTaco via Make]

Death Star Cookie Jar Keeps Sweets Safe From Everything But The Force

Rosa Golijan — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:00:00 +0000

I’ve been told that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so the next time I’m trying to charm a Star Wars fan, I’ll present him with some tasty treats in this Death Star cookie jar.

Not only is this the cheapest Death Star around at only $US49.99, but it will also “double as a festive ice cooler or candy bowl at your next Star Wars soiree.” Available for pre-order now and shipping September 2009 it should melt the hearts of even the cruelest Sith Lords. [Star Wars Shop]

Star Wars Death Star Grill Unleashes The True Power of Dark Meat

Jack Loftus — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 21:30:00 +0000

Take a couple of steaks, add just a dash of Sith and pepper, and throw them on this Death Star grill for a simple feast sure to please even the most demanding of dark lords.

Seriously, many Webber grills died to bring us this information today. Like, two of them.

The designer admits this isn’t a perfect project, but the Star Destroyer handle had me too distracted to notice any big time flaws. Hit the link for some candid in progress construction shots as the grill orbits Endor. [Bryan Atate via Geekologie]

It Takes an Absolutely Ridiculous Amount of Energy to Power the Death Star’s Laser

Adam Frucci — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:00:00 +0000

Blowing up a planet is no small feat, but the Death Star’s laser manages it easily. But the energy consumed is a bit much. Like a full week’s worth of the sun’s total output.

Yes, in order to blow up a planet the size of earth, you’ll need to harness about 2.2 x 10^32 joules. That’s a ridiculously high amount of energy. And that’s not even enough to really put on a show; if you want to do more than just dissociate the planet into a diffuse cloud, you’ll need way more.

I don’t know about you guys, but the lack of realism in the Star Wars films has really started pissing me off. I’m going to write a strongly-worded letter to George Lucas. [Science Blogs]

Death Star Costs $US15.6 Septillion, 1.4 Trillion Times the US Debt

Jesus Diaz — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:53:00 +0000

If you had $US15.6 septillion and 94 cents in your account, would you save the world from the economic crisis or build a Death Star, destroy the world, and move on to invade the galaxy?

A guy called Ryszard Gold–who probably is an alien villain from the Outer Rim planets and got a 49-point score in our Geek Social Aptitude Test–made the calculation of the most basic Death Star’s price with current materials and space transport costs here on Earth. Here’s a quick summary:

• First, assume that 1/10 of the 17.16 quadrillion cubic meters of the Death Star is something other than empty space and 6/10 of the total volume is pressurised space.
• That will require 1.71 quadrillion cubic meters of steel, about 134 quadrillion tonnes. That’s $US12.95 quintillion in current 2008 prices, and that’s without counting strange alloys and elements.
• Shipping that to space will cost $US95 million per tonne: So add $US12.79 septillion in transport.
• Now you need to add air, which will require 8.23 quintillion cubic meters of Nitrogen, and 1.65 quintillion cubic meters of oxygen, for a total delivery cost of $US2.81 septillions and $212.46 quintillion.

The total: $US15,602,022,489,829,821,422,840,226.94.

Yes, that’s a whooping 1.4 trillion times the current US Debt. Or a sightly more meaningful number: 124 trillion years of war in Iraq.

That will only get you the very basic model of Death Star, no options, no GPS, no radio, no leather heated seats, no mega-laser to obliterate planets, no turbolaser towers, no computer systems, no miscellaneous life support systems, no crew quarters, no turbo-elevators, no energy generators, no showers, no air conditioning, no Darth Vader’s jacuzzi, no Emperor’s home theatre system, and no bloody canteen. And don’t get me started on the cost of all the lunch trays and the constant supply of penne all’arrabbiata and peas needed for all the Death Star personnel*. That will probably double the final bill, coupled with the construction costs, for a total of more than $US31 septillions.

As for the answer to the first question, there’s no doubt about it. But then again, I always liked the Emperor’s robe. He goes naked everywhere and nobody notices. [Rick Gold -- Thanks Ron]

At Gizmodo Gallery: The Lego Death Star

Jesus Diaz — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:15:00 +0000

Being a Giz front page in real life, the Gizmodo Gallery had to have Lego (and Star Wars). We are not going to have as many Lego sets as their secret vault, but we are going to feature the biggest and most entertaining one there is: the 3,800-piece Lego Death Star diorama. Of course, you can come and play with it all you want, but whoever tries to steal any of its 21 minifigs is dead. But don’t worry. If you have the urge to run away with Lego bricks you won’t need to steal anything: We are going to give them away.

AU: Obviously the Gizmodo Gallery is a US-based event, but I can’t help but share – somw of you might veen be prepared to make the trip to NYC for it. I know I wish I could… It’s looking bigger and better every day!

Yes, apart from seeing and touching the big Death Star and a huge backlit Gizmodo sign made with translucent clear and blue bricks, Lego has given us a bunch of sets to give to some of the visitors coming to the Gizmodo Gallery. As if you needed any more excuses beyond the Japanese crazy USB gadgets, the Red One camera or ancient Apple prototypes.

[Thanks to REED ANNEX and thanks to our benefactor dynamism.com]

Gizmodo Gallery
Reed Annex
151 Orchard Street
New York, NY 10002

Dates:
December 4th-7th

Times:
12/4 Thursday
12-8

12/5 Friday
12-8

12/6 Saturday
11-8

12/7 Sunday
11-4

[Gizmodo Gallery]

Lego Star Wars Death Star Diorama Now Available—Rebel Alliance and Free Time Beware!

Jack Loftus — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:00:00 +0000

We’ve seen the immense Lego Star Wars Death Star diorama big reveal, the Brickworld 2008 coverage, and the massive minifig-packed set being built in beautiful time-lapse video—and now it’s available for order! Just a quick recap: that’s 3,803 pieces, 24 minifigs, US$400. Get saving or get ordering. Your inner Grand Moff Tarkin commands you! [Lego via Brothers Brick]

Timelapse Video: Building the Lego Death Star Diorama

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:39:00 +0000

Here’s a bunch of crazy Lego heads building the Lego Death Star diorama, probably the best Lego set available this side of the Millennium Falcon with 3,803 pieces, and 21 mini-figs–a stunning number for any Lego set–but definitely the most fun to play with, with 14 scenarios from the original movie.

Looking at the time it’s taking me to finish the Falcon, I’m not going to try this unless I can get ~~Lindsay Joy~~ someone to help me. [Lego in Gizmodo]

Lego Death Star Video Requires Lots of Mental Pew-Pew

Gizmodo US Edition — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:30:00 +0000

Our friend Nannan Zhang from Brothers Brick is now in Chicago attending Brickworld, the annual convention for all things Lego. He was able to snap this cool video on the new US$400 Death Star diorama, showing how things move, including the working trash compactor. I still think they should make one to the scale of the Millennium Falcon, but I guess that could probably alter Earth’s orbit. As an alternative, they should release a Lego stormtrooper mini-cloning facility. [Brothers Brick]

3,800-Piece Death Star Diorama Is Coolest Star Wars Lego Ever

Gizmodo US Edition — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:25:20 +0000

Move over Millennium Falcon, because there’s a new Best Lego Set Ever in town: the US$400 Death Star. Almost 4,000 pieces of absolute nerdgasmic technological terror now available to order, showing 14 scenes that happened in the no-moon during the original trilogy. We have all the official information and three high definition photos that show every angle of this amazing set, with 21 amazing mini-figs, including Han and Luke dressed up as Lego Imperial Stormtroopers.

#10188 Death Star™
Ages 12+. 3,803 pieces.
$399.99

Recreate the action and adventure of the Star Wars™ movies with the ultimate Death Star™ playset! This detailed battle station features an incredible array of minifigure-scale scenes and accessories from Episodes IV and VI. Its different decks include the Death Star control room, moving turbolaser turrets, hangar bay with TIE Advanced starfighter, tractor beam controls, Emperor’s throne room, detention block, Imperial conference room, droid maintenance facility, and the powerful Death Star superlaser, plus much more! Swing across the chasm with Luke and Leia, face danger in the crushing trash compactor, and duel with Darth Vader for the fate of the galaxy. With over 3,800 pieces, the Death Star measures 16″ tall and 16½” wide when completed. Includes 25 Star Wars minifigures and droids!

Death Star is a LEGO Exclusive available for pre-order on www.LEGOshop.com starting July 1, 2008 and can be found in LEGO Brand Retail Stores starting September 1, 2008!

Includes the following 7 new and exclusive Star Wars minifigures and droids only found in this set!
Luke Skywalker™ (Stormtrooper outfit)
Han Solo™ (Stormtrooper outfit)
Death Star Trooper (x2)
Phlutdroid™
Interrogation Droid
Death Star Droid

Other minifigures and droids include:
Obi-Wan Kenobi™
R2-Q5™
Emperor Palpatine™
Darth Vader™
Grand Moff Tarken™
Emperor’s Royal Guard™ (x2)
Stormtrooper™ (x2)
R2-D2™
C-3PO™
Princess Leia™
Chewbacca™
Luke Skywalker™ (Jedi Knight)
Mouse Droid
Dianoga (Trash Monster)
Luke Skywalker™
Han Solo™

Product Features:
Death Star Control Room
Death Star Turbolasers
Hangar Bay Control Room
Superlaser Control Room
Death Star Superlaser & Weapons Bay
Manned Turbolaser
Emperor’s Throne Room
Hangar Bay
Detention Block
Tractor Beam Control
Trash Compactor Scene
Swing over the Gap
Meeting room
Droid maintenance