: Creating the planet-killing beam was the most difficult part. Director Orson Krennic oversaw a team of scientists on Eadu who worked to harness kyber crystals to power the weapon.
The development of the first (the DS-1 Orbital Battle Station) was a massive undertaking that spanned roughly 20 years . While the station's hull was completed relatively quickly, the project was plagued by engineering challenges, secrecy, and sabotage. Key Phases of Development Death Star (Star Wars)
: The station became fully operational just before the events of A New Hope , under the command of Grand Moff Tarkin . Development Challenges Impact on Project Secrecy : Creating the planet-killing beam was the most