The Zukonium ray was a powerful weapon. It was powerful enough to destroy a small moon but was primarily used as a strong power source for buildings and colonies. The Planetary Pioneers hoped to use the Zukonium ray as a power source on numerous uninhabited worlds. However, Luke Skywalker was forced to use the Zukonium ray to destroy a maverick moon that was on a collision course with the planet housing the New Academy for Space Pilots.