Theta - class T - 2c shuttle The Cygnus Spaceworks Theta " - class T - 2c shuttle , also known as the Theta " - class T - 2c Personnel Transport , was a tri - winged personnel transport craft , most often used by influential senators , officers , and courtiers to travel between planets and starships while maintaining high levels of security . Newly appointed Emperor Palpatine used one to save the maimed and burned Darth Vader from the volcanic world of Mustafar . Characteristics . The shuttle ' s long wings projected powerful shielding fields , which were used for both defense and added stability in atmosphere . In flight , the lower two wings were extended to either side of the shuttle , but during landing , the wings folded up to bracket the hull and concentrate shield energy on the main body . The " Theta " - class transport was both fast and agile thanks to its powerful sublight engines . It also had an internal Class 1 hyperdrive . The " Theta " - class shuttle could not rely on speed alone , however , while transporting important dignitaries between worlds . Thus , it was equipped with twin forward - mounted quad laser cannons and a high - powered tail gun . Both the quad and standard laser cannons could be computer - controlled or operated manually from a combined communications and gunnery station in the reinforced cockpit . Upon landing , the shuttle computer surveyed the area for potential dangers , ready to open fire at enemies in an instant . The shuttle could accommodate about five crew members , though it could be flown by a single experienced pilot . Palpatine ' s own T - 2c was upgraded by Warthan ' s Wizards , the best starship technicians in the galaxy at the time . The Wizards added a hyperwave reflector for trans - galactic communication that rivaled the quality of the secret Jedi homing devices . Palpatine ' s shuttle also featured sensor masks to hide whatever secrets the shuttle ' s interior held from conventional scanners . During flight , Palpatine ' s shuttle was often escorted by elite V - wing starfighters that were upgraded to be equipped with internal hyperdrives and improved shields . History . " Theta " - class shuttles were observed ten years after the end of the New Sith Wars and were at that time considered new . The class would go on to see service in the centuries leading up to the establishment of the Galactic Empire . One was used by the Sith to pick up Qymaen jai Sheelal ' s broken body after his shuttle crash accident , right before the Clone Wars . Another was used by the Supreme Chancellor Palpatine as a personal transport when attending to off - world matters during the Clone Wars . One was also used to transport a group of Republic agents to the " Venator " - class Star Destroyer " Solidarity " , so that they could be given an assignment by Jedi Master Ezar Elasra . Not long after his declaration founding the Galactic Empire , the newly - christened Emperor Palpatine used his shuttle on a top secret mission to Mustafar . Piloted by Captain Kagi , the T - 2c shuttle reached Mustafar in time for Palpatine to rescue his dying apprentice , Darth Vader , formerly Anakin Skywalker . During the return trip to Coruscant , the Emperor made use of the shuttle ' s onboard medical facilities to treat Darth Vader ' s wounds prior to a more extensive reconstruction at a medical facility . The shuttle also acted as a mobile command base , with various torture devices and Sith potions for interrogations . Though the " Theta " - class shuttle served the Empire and Palpatine well , it was later replaced by the more advanced " Lambda " - class . Even so , " Theta " - class shuttles were still used by the Empire as support vessels , alongside older models like the " Kappa " - class shuttles . Following the dissolution of the Senate , many of the senators ' " Theta " - class shuttles were sold off and converted to freighters . Some were bought by collectors who valued the classic design or were used by the Rebel Alliance . Behind the scenes . The Emperor ' s shuttle was clearly designed as a harbinger to the " Lambda " - class shuttles seen in the original trilogy . The tri - wing design was made less angular , with a less aggressive cockpit to soften the obviousness of its role as a villain ' s transport . The only practical element of the shuttle constructed was its boarding ramp , which was shot against greenscreen for the scene of Emperor Palpatine emerging with Anakin Skywalker ' s charred body on Coruscant . In " " , " Theta " - class shuttles are titled ' Landing craft ' and are armed with two forward - facing cannons , homing missiles and an aft laser - cannon . They are used from the beginning of Imperial rule , until the story mode campaign ends at the Battle of Hoth . In 2010 , LEGO released a set known as " 8096 Emperor Palpatine ' s Shuttle " . The set includes movable wings , extendable landing gear , and a medical center with Darth Vader ' s helmet . The set includes 4 mini figures namely : the redesigned wounded Darth Vader ( with helmet ) , Emperor Palpatine ( 2008 redesign ) , Clone Pilot ( 2009 redesign with exclusive headpiece design ) , and the new minifigure , the 2 - 1B surgical droid . Part of the set ' s basis could possibly be the 2005 set " 7251 Darth Vader Transformation " where Darth Vader is put into his signature suit after he was badly wounded on Mustafar .