Warning: This contains SPOILERS for Andor episode 9!
Cassian Andor and the other prisoners at Narkina 5 are tasked with making something for the Empire, but what exactly they are building in Andor's prison remains a mystery. Andor episode 8 introduced a dramatic change to Cassian's life, as he was imprisoned by the Empire and sent to Narkina 5 to serve a multi-year sentence. This prison is very different than most, as prisoners are kept in a clean environment without restraints but with the constant threat of being electrocuted. Cassian and his fellow prisoners at the Imperial labor camp also spend every day doing forced labor, where they compete to build mysterious objects.
Andor episode 9 continues to highlight the work that Cassian and the other prisoners do and the dwindling conditions of their care. Despite the show repeatedly showing the prisoners building the same item over and over again, there is no clarity about what exactly is being created on Narkina 5. The context of the task indicates that the Empire needs a lot of whatever is being built in Andor's prison. Several floors and rooms, each containing multiple teams, are all responsible for building mass amounts of the same six-sided star-shaped item every day. Based on the established Star Wars canon, there are a few popular suggestions for what Cassian, Melshi, and others are building in the prison in Andor.
Are They Building Imperial Probe Droids In Andor's Prison?
A popular suggestion for what they are building in prison in Andor is Imperial probe droids. These types of droids are commonly used by the Empire to explore space and for surveillance. The frequency in which the viper probe droids are used would make it a strong contender to be what is being built here. The issue with the theory that Andor's prisoners are making Imperial probe droids is the size. A probe droid is estimated to be about 5 feet tall and is likely half that size wide.
Whatever is being built in the prison in Andor is much bigger than an Imperial probe droid, as it is as wide as an entire table and takes several men to move. The shape of the item also is not a great match for the probe droid, as the six-sided star shape would have to be significantly changed as manufacturing continued to make something that resembles a droid. If Andor's prisoners are building a type of droid, it would seem to be a completely new addition to the franchise rather than one that viewers are already familiar with.
Could What They're Building In Andor's Prison Connect To The Death Star?
There is a good chance that Andor's prison is building parts for the Death Star, though. Season 1 of the Disney+ show takes place in 5 BBY, which is a few years before the Empire's greatest weapon becomes operational. That means that the Empire should be in the process of building the Death Star when Andor takes place. Due to the project's secrecy, it would make sense for the Empire to have prisoners work to build various pieces secretly. The parts on Narkina 5 could then be made in secret and not alert Emperor Palpatine's critics to his master plan. Meanwhile, the Death Star's massive size could explain why so many pieces are being built.
The idea that what they are building in prison in Andor being Death Star parts would add another layer of tragedy to Cassian's story. Since the Death Star destroying Scarif is how Cassian Andor dies in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the prequel show will reveal that he had a hand in his own death if this theory is correct. If Cassian dying to save the galaxy was not already sad enough for some viewers, knowing that he helped make parts to build the weapon that killed him would increase the tragedy of his demise.
What Else Could They Be Building In Prison In Andor?
If Andor's prisoners are not building probe droids or parts for the Death Star, there are still a few other possibilities. Looking at the Empire and the resources it uses the most, the prison could be building parts for another type of weapon. TIE Fighters, AT-ATs, or Star Destroyers could all be potential answers to what Andor's prisoners are building. The items featured in the show could be attachments for the TIE Fighter wings. They could also be parts of an AT-AT, such as their massive feet. It is also possible that the Andor prison is making parts for the Star Destroyer.
Any of these options would make sense to be part of a mass production chain that Andor's prison can be part of. These are but a few of the other options that exist. Considering how often Andor has shown the items and the process of building them, it would be surprising if the series did not give some answers. Whether the items are one of the possibilities mentioned or something else entirely remains to be seen.
New episodes of Andor release every Wednesday on Disney+.