Why did Han Solo's Infiltration Team at Endor not panic and abandon the fleet attack when they saw an Utor Class Star Dreadnought guarding the second Death Star in their stolen shuttle?

Mission Focus: The team's primary objective was to disable the shield generator on Endor. They were committed to this mission, believing that calling off the attack would jeopardize their goal. Their singular focus on their mission plan suggests a high degree of confidence in their ability to disable the shield and break through the Imperial defenses.

Limited Communication: Once they were on the shuttle and approaching the Death Star, communication with the Rebel fleet would be difficult. They could not easily alert the Rebel command of the presence of the Utor Class Star Dreadnought without risking detection. This limited communication channel made them hesitate to call off the attack as it would have alerted the Empire.

Confidence in the Plan: The team had a plan to infiltrate the Imperial facility and believed in their ability to execute it. They might also have had confidence in the Rebel fleet's ability to adapt to situations, including the presence of a formidable Imperial defense.

Overconfidence in Disguise: Given the stolen Imperial shuttle, the team may have believed that their disguise would allow them to pass through undetected. This false sense of security could have led them to underestimate the potential risks and overestimate their own capabilities.

Surprise Factor: While the presence of an Imperial star dreadnought was not unexpected, the team might have anticipated some level of defensive strength but felt it was manageable. They were likely prepared for a surprise but not a critical encounter like facing the full might of an Imperial fleet.

Known Threats and Priorities: The Rebel Alliance knew that the second Death Star was a formidable target, especially with the presence of the Emperor Palpatine. The destruction of this battle station was crucial to ending the war. The brilliance of their strategy was in coordinating a large-scale fleet attack with a precise and covert infiltration, with the hope of outmaneuvering the enemy's defenses.

While the Empire did have a strong presence around the second Death Star, the Rebel Alliance was willing to take the risk of gathering the entire fleet for a powerful show of force. They knew the Emperor would have strong defenses but believed his own military might would be enough to protect him.

Conclusion: The combination of focused mission objectives, limited communication, confidence in their plan, overconfidence in their disguise, and the critical importance of the emperor's protection made the team proceed with their mission without abandoning the attack. This decision highlighted the strategic brilliance and calculated risk-taking that characterized the Rebel Alliance's assault on the second Death Star.

Further Reading: For more insights into the strategic and tactical aspects of the Battle of Endor, explore articles and analyses that dissect the coordination between ground forces and space fleets, the role of stealth and surprise in military operations, and the complexities of intergalactic warfare.