The Fastest Hunk of Junk: 10 Fascinating Facts About the Millennium Falcon

Star Wars enthusiasts, grab your Wookiee co-pilots as we blast off into hyperspace to learn 10 amazing facts about the Millennium Falcon, the galaxy's most beloved piece of trash. We traveled far and wide in honor of Star Wars Day, from the Outer Rim to the Core Worlds, to compile the most fascinating facts about the famous spacecraft that completed the Kessel Run in fewer than 12 parsecs.

These facts will take you on a tour through the history, design, and impact of the Millennium Falcon on both the Star Wars universe and our own, whether you're an experienced space smuggler or a budding Jedi. You'll discover details about its remarkable speed, how it served as an inspiration for a real-life space pioneer, and even the unusual source of its distinctive design.

So fasten your seatbelts and get ready for an exhilarating trip into hyperspace as we reveal 10 incredible facts about the fabled Millennium Falcon. May the Fourth be with you, and may the Knowledge Force lead you on this intergalactic journey!

Posted by Nimrod Aldea

1
Hamburger-inspired design

The Millennium Falcon's design is truly one of a kind, especially compared to other ships in the galaxy. Its unique look was inspired by a partially eaten hamburger! It actually makes sense when you stop and look at the iconic ship. By the way, Pac-Man's design was inspired by a pizza with one slice missing. we guess designers work better when hungry

Via Gundam.my
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2
A quick redesign

The original design for the Millennium Falcon was quite different and had a much boxier look. When the crew realized the resemblance to Space: 1999's ship, they quickly redesigned it. Joe Johnston took the lead and incorporated the hamburger shape, creating the iconic Falcon in just one day.

Via r/StarWarsMagic
3
Speeding through space

The Millennium Falcon has a top atmospheric speed of 1,000 kph, which is almost Mach 1 or the speed of sound. When it comes to space travel, its modified hyperdrives let it travel at a whopping 3,000 G, making the Kessel Run in 12 parsecs. In other words, this ship can cruise through space at 6.13 quadrillion mph, leaving imperial cruisers in the cosmic dust.

Via Metaflix
4
A real-life SpaceX inspiration

Tesla founder Elon Musk was so captivated by the Star Wars saga that he named his SpaceX rockets after the Millennium Falcon, dubbing them the Falcon series. The Falcon 9 rocket is his most successful creation, currently supplying space stations and launching satellites.

Via Techstory.in
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5
The Falcon's ownership saga

Initially, Lando Calrissian possessed the iconic ship. However, Han Solo won it from Lando in a Sabacc game. Later, Lando reclaimed the Falcon while searching for Han but ultimately returned it to him. The ship's journey didn't end there, as Gannis Ducain stole it from Han, only for it to be taken by the Irving Boys. The Irving Boys subsequently lost the Falcon to Unkar Plutt, who then had it stolen by Rey. Rey returned the legendary ship to Han, and by the end of The Force Awakens, she received it as a gift, with Chewbacca continuing as the co-pilot.

Via The Future of the Force
6
An antique in the making

The Millennium Falcon was manufactured 60 years before the Battle of Yavin (BBY). Considering the last old canon book took place in 44 ABY, the Falcon is actually 100 years old – quite a feat for a ship that's still going strong!

Via Stack Exchange
7
Schizophrenic droid brains

According to Wookieepedia, the Falcon's control functions run through a modified Hanx-Wargel SuperFlow IV computer with three droid brains. This causes the ship to argue with itself, but the droid brains work together in emergencies. These brains came from an R3-series astromech droid, a V-5 transport droid, and a corporate espionage slicer droid.

Via Omicron
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8
Lego's Ultimate Collector's Edition

In 2007, Lego released the Ultimate Collector's Edition of the Millennium Falcon, boasting over 5,000 pieces and standing as their largest set at the time. If you're looking to own this rare piece, prepare to spend between $5,000 and $6,000 on eBay (for a sealed version).

Via Lego Star Wars Beyond
9
The sound of the Falcon

Sound designer Ben Burtt is responsible for the iconic noises of the Millennium Falcon. The ship's engine sound is based on a mcdonnell-douglas dc-9 airliner engine, doubled and played slightly out of sync. The Falcon's failing hyperdrive noise combines a biplane ignition motor, a dentist's air jet hiss, an arclight switching on, a tank turret motor, and croaking water pipes.

Via Air charter service usa
10
Humble beginnings

The Millennium Falcon's humble beginnings can be traced back to its base model, the YT-1300 light freighter. Designed for utilitarian purposes, these ships were primarily used for routine space work, such as cargo transportation and tug duties. The Falcon's initial role as a space tug highlights its unassuming and practical origins before it gained its iconic status through modifications and adventures in the Star Wars universe.

Via Brules