Darth Vader and The Empire would be disappointed. The White House has shot down a petition to build a Death Star. Does new Star Wars franchise owner Disney know about this? The document originally posted November 14 suggested that “By focusing our defense resources into a space-superiority platform and weapon system such as a Death Star, the government can spur job creation in the fields of construction, engineering, space exploration, and more, and strengthen our national defense.”

In response to the Internet petition, which passed the 25,000-signature threshold for an administration response with more than 9,000 to spare, the government — under the headline This Isn’t The Petition Response You’re Looking For — today noted that:

  • The construction of the Death Star has been estimated to cost more than $850,000,000,000,000,000. We’re working hard to reduce the deficit, not expand it.
  • The Administration does not support blowing up planets.
  • Why would we spend countless taxpayer dollars on a Death Star with a fundamental flaw that can be exploited by a one-man starship? 

Paul Shawcross, chief of the science and space branch at the White House Office of Management and Budget, took the opportunity to urge students to pursue careers in science so “the Force will be with us! Remember, the Death Star’s power to destroy a planet or even a whole star system, is insignificant next to the power of the Force.”