Det enkla svaret är att de troligtvis inte kunde.
Du kommer ihåg att Death Star inte var fullt fungerande förrän halvvägs genom Episode 4.
Princess Leia Organa: Governor Tarkin, I should have expected to find you holding Vader's leash. I recognized your foul stench when I was brought on board.
Governor Tarkin: Charming to the last. You don't know how hard I found it, signing the order to terminate your life.
Princess Leia Organa: I'm surprised that you had the courage to take the responsibility yourself.
Governor Tarkin: Princess Leia, before your execution, I'd like you to join me for a ceremony that will make this battle station operational. No star system will dare oppose the Emperor now.
Princess Leia Organa: The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers.
Governor Tarkin: Not after we demonstrate the capabilities of this station. ...
General Tagge: Until this battle station is fully operational, we are vulnerable. The Rebel Alliance is too well equipped, they're more dangerous than you realize.
Admiral Motti: Dangerous to your starfleet, Commander; not to this battle station.
Men som Werrf nämnde, är sannolikheten att förstöra sig när han svävar några tusen mil från en planet som du tänker fullständigt förstöra i en explosion tio gånger sin storlek ... är ganska hög.