Astromech socket

An astromech socket or astromech slot was a component aboard starfighters that allowed an astromech droid to interface directly with the craft. Linking to the fighter via linkage and control arms, the astromech droid assisted the pilot as onboard support by monitoring flight performance, fixing technical problems, rerouting power to shipboard systems as needed, and calculating hyperspace jumps for hyperdrive capable fighters. The droid could even pilot the starfighter if necessary, such as when a pilot was incapacitated. Communication from the droid to the pilot was achieved by sending messages directly to a monitor in the cockpit.

Text and facts from the “Astromech socket/Legends” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.