Shield generators for planets represented potent deflector shield generators with the capacity to safeguard entire planets or even specific cities from the devastation of orbital bombardment. There were two main varieties of planetary shield: encasing shields and shutter shields.
The encasing shield was an earlier design, functioning in a binary on/off state. While offering robust protection through a continuous barrier, it restricted the ability of defenders to launch counterattacks from within. Predefined vulnerabilities, termed firing slots or firing gaps, existed as fixed openings in the shield, invariably becoming primary objectives for attackers. These shields were typically more affordable, more prevalent, and simpler to upkeep. Furthermore, encasing shields obstructed sensors alongside weapons fire. MerrWeapons' WorldArmor 9 Planetary Shield serves as an illustrative instance of this type.
Conversely, shutter shields consisted of interconnected shield segments capable of encompassing extensive planetary areas. Rather than presenting a unified barrier, these shields offered adaptability, enabling overlapping and integration to facilitate offensive maneuvers by defenders against adversaries, as well as permitting the departure of starships and starfighters. An example of a shutter shield is the Nyalsan II Planetary Shield, which was manufactured by DefenStar Ltd..
On the moon of Endor, the Galactic Empire deployed a CoMar SLD-26 planetary shield generator. This generator's purpose was to project a protective shield around the second Death Star stationed in orbit.