Mando and Grogu have emerged as close partners who are about to premiere on the big screen. As we see them fly through the galaxy, Grogu is seated on top of the starfighter. Yet, he must be able to move from his dome to the cockpit. How does he manage to do it? We can explain it from the ship’s design and Grogu’s skill set.
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How Grogu Moves From the Dome to the Cockpit
In the scene below, we see a humorous moment between Mando and Grogu. As their second ship together, Grogu sits in the dome top portion.
After the Razorcrest was destroyed, the N-1 starfighter became their mode of travel.
Din Djarin’s starfighter is a modified version of the N-1, or Royal Naboo, series. Peli Motto helped Mando custom-make his N-1 into a speed-driven fighter with better-equipped laser cannons. The ship’s design helps us figure out how Grogu moves from his dome seating area to the cockpit.
Because Mando does not much like droids, or most anyway, Motto removed the astromech socket where a droid would have sat. This modification provided “a small passenger compartment” and an observer dome for Grogu. In essence, Grogu took the spot of R-2.
The modifications must have also included a crawl space between the main cockpit and this former astromech socket. This passageway would allow Grogu to move back and forth.
As a fan noted on this discussion, modern aircraft also have crawl spaces, so “why should this Starfighter be any different”? That reasoning makes sense and helps us understand how Grogu moves between the two areas.
Grogu must fit through a space that usually droids only reach through for repairs and maintenance. The ship’s modifications provided the basis and, because of his small size, he could squeeze through a tight space.
Yet, he probably has to contort his body to fully make the transition from dome to cockpit. This brings up the related question of how Grogu manages to move that way.
How Does Grogu Manage to Move From the Dome to the Cockpit?
We shouldn’t be surprised that Grogu can pull off a potential act of contortion to move from the dome to the cockpit. He is exceptional in several ways, including being only the third named character of his rare species in Star Wars. Grogu also probably studied at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant and managed to survive Order 66. Moving in tight spaces is only a slight challenge for him.
In Season 3 of The Mandalorian, Grogu manages to “take command” of IG-12, which serves as “a vehicle” for him to control from a cockpit-of-sorts. Grogu’s ability to control this droid reflects his adaptability to different circumstances which must have aided his maneuvering through Mando’s N-1 starfighter.
And, by the end of Season 3, we witness the growth of Grogu’s Force powers, which would certainly aid, if needed, in the task of maneuvering through the N-1. Grogu’s triumphant Force bubble saved Mando, Bo-Katan, and him from the explosion that took out Moff Gideon. Indeed, this is an “epic” moment that confirms how much Grogu has developed in “martial skill and Force ability.”
“Force-enhanced athleticism” is among Grogu’s demonstrated Force powers, allowing him increased mobility and jumping. With this power alone, we can conclude that he learned how to switch from dome to cockpit.
Grogu Moves from the Dome to the Cockpit
Mando’s modified N-1 starfighter provides a means for Grogu to move from his dome seat to the cockpit. We assume it has a crawl space that he can access. This act probably takes some effort on Grogu’s part, though. So, we can attribute some of the explanation to Grogu himself.
Todd Wahlstrom is a creative and analytical freelance writer and life-long Star Wars fan who has expanded into writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He has written about recent shows such as The Mandalorian and Andor and classic topics like Darth Vader, the Jedi, and Boba Fett. His recent articles include the MCU’s Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor. Todd is the author of a non-fiction book, holds a Ph.D. in history, and enjoys hiking, running, and reading about science.