Name: Kessel
Region: Outer Rim Territories
Sector: Kessel sector
System: Kessel system
Grid coordinates: T-10
Trade routes: Kessel Run, Pabol Sleheyron
Atmosphere: Type I (breathable)
Climate: Hot
Primary terrain: Barren spice mines in the north, lush sanctuaries in the south
Points of interest: Spice mines of Kessel, Spice mine K76
Immigrated species: Dwuni, Gigoran, Humans, Pyke, Twi'lek, Wookiee
Government: Royal family of Kessel
Major imports: Slaves
Major exports: Coaxium, Spice

Description: Kessel was a planet within the Akkadese Maelstrom that hosted spice mines. For years, the Pyke Syndicate dealt with spice mined from Kessel, utilizing smugglers and freighter captains to deliver it to the crime families of Coruscant. The Galactic Empire operated a mining operation, employing numerous slaves, including Wookiees, to harvest spice. Meanwhile, the royal family of Kessel lived in lush sanctuaries in the planet's southern hemisphere, turning a blind eye to the brutal working conditions in the mines of the northern hemisphere.

When the Empire boarded the starship Tantive IV, which carried Princess Leia Organa on a secret mission for the Rebel Alliance, the protocol droid named C-3PO expressed fear that he and his counterpart R2-D2 would be sent to the spice mines of Kessel.

Later, when talking up the capabilities of the Millennium Falcon to Obi-Wan Kenobi, Han Solo described it as being "the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs."