There are several factors to consider here.

1. The optics of bringing a superweapon to the fight and then leaving. As previously mentioned, Tarkin, was unwilling to quietly slip out on his own-it's doubtful he would be ok with a full scale retreat considering what he was up against (enormous ball of death vs itty bitty starfighters).

2. The rebels chances. In order to be successful, the rebellion had to pilot it's way down the trench, fend off squadrons of TIE fighters, dodge turbolasers AND hit a small target while moving remarkably fast.

3. The Empire's intended endgame. Remember, the rebellion chose Yavin IV for a reason. They were able to hide their base there...in the jungle. I don't think it was ever outright stated on screen but I always got the idea that Tarkin and Vader planned to destroy the entire moon and not employ "single reactor mode." They wanted to make a statement to the entire galaxy and they couldn't do that with Star Destroyers.

4. Time was on their side. While moving the Death Star is probably cumbersome, it's clear that it can move rather quickly (for a moon sized space station). The rebels had to get the stolen plans, analyze them, find the weakness (which was probably not labelled doomsday device weak point), organize and launch an attack. Tarkin may have hoped to jump into the system on the heels of the Millennium Falcon and cut the rebels lead time significantly. Remember, Leia gave up the Yavin base BEFORE Luke and the gang were even on board so the navigators had practically the whole movie to plot a course.

There are several factors to consider here.

1. The optics of bringing a superweapon to the fight and then leaving. As previously mentioned, Tarkin, was unwilling to quietly slip out on his own-it's doubtful he would be ok with a full scale retreat considering what he was up against (enormous ball of death vs itty bitty starfighters).

2. The rebels chances. In order to be successful, the rebellion had to pilot it's way down the trench, fend off squadrons of TIE fighters, dodge turbolasers AND hit a small target while moving remarkably fast.

3. The Empire's intended endgame. Remember, the rebellion chose Yavin IV for a reason. They were able to hide their base there...in the jungle. I don't think it was ever outright stated on screen but I always got the idea that Tarkin and Vader planned to destroy the entire moon and not employ "single reactor mode." They wanted to make a statement to the entire galaxy and they couldn't do that with Star Destroyers.

4. Time was on their side. While moving the Death Star is probably cumbersome, it's clear that it can move rather quickly (for a moon sized space station). The rebels had to get the stolen plans, analyze them, find the weakness (which was probably not labelled doomsday device weak point), organize and launch an attack. Tarkin may have hoped to jump into the system on the heels of the Millennium Falcon and cut the rebels lead time significantly. Remember, Leia gave up the Yavin base BEFORE Luke and the gang were even on board so the navigators had practically the whole movie to plot a course.

There are several factors to consider here.

1. The optics of bringing a superweapon to the fight and then leaving. As previously mentioned, Tarkin, was unwilling to quietly slip out on his own-it's doubtful he would be ok with a full scale retreat considering what he was up against (enormous ball of death vs itty bitty starfighters).

2. The rebels chances. In order to be successful, the rebellion had to pilot it's way down the trench, fend off squadrons of TIE fighters, dodge turbolasers AND hit a small target while moving remarkably fast.

3. The Empire's intended endgame. Remember, the rebellion chose Yavin IV for a reason. They were able to hide their base there...in the jungle. I don't think it was ever outright stated on screen but I always got the idea that Tarkin and Vader planned to destroy the entire moon and not employ "single reactor mode." They wanted to make a statement to the entire galaxy and they couldn't do that with Star Destroyers.

4. Time was on their side. While moving the Death Star is probably cumbersome, it's clear that it can move rather quickly (for a moon sized space station). The rebels had to get the stolen plans, analyze them, find the weakness (which was probably not labelled doomsday device weak point), organize and launch an attack. Tarkin may have hoped to jump into the system on the heels of the Millennium Falcon and cut the rebels lead time significantly. Remember, Leia gave up the Yavin base BEFORE Luke and the gang were even on board so the navigators had practically the whole movie to plot a course.

There are several factors to consider here.

1. The optics of bringing a superweapon to the fight and then leaving. As previously mentioned, Tarkin, was unwilling to quietly slip out on his own-it's doubtful he would be ok with a full scale retreat considering what he was up against (enormous ball of death vs itty bitty starfighters).

2. The rebels chances. In order to be successful, the rebellion had to pilot it's way down the trench, fend off squadrons of TIE fighters, dodge turbolasers AND hit a small target while moving remarkably fast.

3. The Empire's intended endgame. Remember, the rebellion chose Yavin IV for a reason. They were able to hide their base there...in the jungle. I don't think it was ever outright stated on screen but I always got the idea that Tarkin and Vader planned to destroy the entire moon and not employ "single reactor mode." They wanted to make a statement to the entire galaxy and they couldn't do that with Star Destroyers.

4. Time was on their side. While moving the Death Star is probably cumbersome, it's clear that it can move rather quickly (for a moon sized space station). The rebels had to get the stolen plans, analyze them, find the weakness (which was probably not labelled doomsday device weak point), organize and launch an attack. Tarkin may have hoped to jump into the system on the heels of the Millennium Falcon and cut the rebels lead time significantly. Remember, Leia gave up the Yavin base BEFORE Luke and the gang were even on board so the navigators had practically the whole movie to plot a course.