The E-2 Asteroid Miner was a craft used for mining asteroids in 3999 BBY. Vehicles of that class - sometimes called ore-suckers and having an insectoid appearance - were common throughout the galaxy as they were a cheaper alternative to using tractor beams to drag asteroids. Pirates were known to use E-2s, modifying the ships by ading some laser cannons to be able to disperse convoy defenders if were any. E-2 Asteroid Miners had rugged claws which could cling on to the hard rocky surface of an asteroid and plasma drills for cutting through them. E-2s were also equipped with thruster jets for transporting asteroids to mining locations. A central suction tube would draw the material up into the vehicle's filter system where the valuable ores were stored in cargo bays. Read more...