The recent finale of Andor season 2 has sparked debate among fans about the lifespan of the infamous Death Star. While it was under construction for nearly two decades, its actual operational period is estimated to be less than a month.
According to the show’s storyline, the Death Star’s plans were leaked by Luthen Rael’s spy network in Andor season 2. This led to Luke Skywalker gaining access to the secret blueprints during A New Hope. Given this timeline, fans are doing the math and concluding that the Death Star was operational for a significantly shorter period than its construction duration.
In the case of Rogue One, the Death Star was destroyed after a short operational period, with the second Death Star under construction in Return of the Jedi being destroyed while still being built. This suggests that the Death Star’s operation was relatively brief, despite its significant impact on the galaxy.
This revelation highlights the significance of Cassian Andor and his team’s mission to steal the Death Star plans, as it may have altered the course of history if they had succeeded sooner. The exact duration of the Death Star’s operation remains speculative, but it is clear that its lifespan was shorter than previously thought.
Source: https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/star-wars-tv-shows/after-the-andor-season-2-finale-star-wars-fans-are-calculating-how-long-the-death-star-was-actually-fully-operational-and-it-was-probably-only-a-matter-of-days