Hyperdrive pod

Hyperdrive pods, also known as hyperspace pods, probot pods, or pod ships, were single-use hyperspace-capable pods that delivered probe droids to their destinations. Consisting of little more than a powerful hyperdrive and a sublight engine housed in a protective shield packed with sensors, such pods were designed to come down rapidly, mimicking a crashing meteorite in order to avoid detection. Cushioned snugly inside the pod with its arms retracted, the probe droid used an umbilical to monitor the status and location of its transport. To prevent damage to the droid, said umbilical was withdrawn right before landing. X3-13s were specialized hyperdrive pods used to deploy E-XD-series infiltrator droids.

Text and facts from the “Hyperdrive pod” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.