Kalkite is a rare mineral found exclusively on the planet Ghorman in the Star Wars universe. It is a key resource for the Galactic Empire because it is essential in coating the reactor lenses used in the construction of the Death Star, the Empire's planet-destroying superweapon
. The Empire's interest in Ghorman and its kalkite deposits is a major plot point in the Andor TV series, particularly in season 2. The Empire orchestrates the Ghorman Massacre and enforces harsh mining operations to extract kalkite, despite the severe environmental consequences. Mining kalkite at the scale required for the Death Star would destabilize Ghorman's planetary core, risking the destruction of cities and displacement of about 800,000 inhabitants
. Kalkite's exact chemical properties are not fully detailed, but it is described as vital for the Empire's "energy initiative," which is a cover for the Death Star project. The mineral's unique "deep substrate foliated" form makes it irreplaceable, and despite extensive efforts to create synthetic alternatives, none have been successful
. Some fan theories suggest that the Empire's reliance on kalkite was exploited by Galen Erso, the Death Star's lead scientist, who may have deliberately made kalkite a critical but rare component to delay the weapon's completion
. In summary, kalkite is a crucial mineral in Star Wars lore, primarily tied to the Empire's Death Star construction and the tragic events on Ghorman depicted in Andor season 2
