Thermal detonator

"Do not taunt happy fun ball."

―Fine-print disclaimer on thermal detonator package

Thermal detonators were grenade-like metal spheres that saw wide use in military, bounty hunting, and criminal circles. Their design has remained largely constant since at least 4000 BBY.

The device consisted of a baradium pellet (the same stuff in proton torpedoes), surrounded by a small reaction chamber and a triggering mechanism. Activating the trigger began a localized fusion reaction that spread a deadly heat particle field out to the blast radius. Variations on the trigger included instant-press death, exciting-countdown-to-death, death-unless-I keep-pressing-this-button, bring-back-Firefly-or-else-death, and say-the-secret-word-for-death.

Famous users of thermal detonators included: Boushh, many deceased stormtroopers, and Calo Nord.

Behind the scenes

Stick four antennas on it, and a thermal detonator kinda looks like Sputnik.