63 STS Ginga
Space shuttle operated by the Earth Federation Forces for transport operations.
The 63 STS Ginga was a space shuttle operated by the Earth Federation Forces for transporting mobile suits and personnel between Earth and space during the One Year War. The large shuttle was designed to masquerade as a civilian passenger craft to avoid detection during sensitive transport missions.
History
The 63 STS Ginga played a crucial role in the Earth Federation’s mobile suit development programme during the final stages of the One Year War in UC 0079. The shuttle was specifically tasked with transporting the prototype RX-78NT-1 Gundam NT-1 “Alex” from the Earth Federation Forces’ Arctic base to space orbit.
Transport of the Gundam Alex
In December UC 0079, the Ginga was deployed to carry out one of the most sensitive transport operations of the war. The RX-78NT-1 Gundam NT-1, a highly advanced prototype mobile suit developed specifically for Newtype pilots, had completed its testing phase at the Federation’s secret Arctic research facility.
The shuttle successfully transported the Gundam Alex from Earth’s surface to space orbit, where it was to be delivered to Side 6 for further testing and eventual handover to Amuro Ray, the pilot of the original RX-78-2 Gundam. This mission was critical to the Federation’s plans to deploy an enhanced Gundam unit capable of matching the latest Principality of Zeon mobile suits.
The transport was conducted under strict secrecy, with the Ginga disguised as a civilian passenger shuttle to avoid drawing attention from Zeon intelligence networks. Despite these precautions, Zeon forces had already identified the prototype’s location and were planning their own operation to capture or destroy it.
Design
The 63 STS Ginga was designed as a large space shuttle capable of trans-atmospheric flight operations. Its primary function was to transport oversized cargo, particularly mobile suits, between planetary surfaces and orbital facilities. The shuttle’s substantial cargo capacity made it suitable for carrying the bulky Gundam Alex and its associated equipment.
Civilian Disguise
A key feature of the Ginga’s design was its ability to masquerade as a civilian passenger craft. This disguise was essential for maintaining operational security during sensitive missions, allowing the shuttle to operate in contested airspace without immediately attracting hostile attention. The civilian appearance helped the Federation transport valuable assets whilst minimising the risk of interception by enemy forces.
Cargo Capacity
The shuttle was specifically configured to accommodate mobile suits and large military equipment. Its spacious cargo bay was designed to secure and transport prototype mobile suits safely during the stresses of launch, orbital transfer, and atmospheric re-entry operations.
Propulsion System
The Ginga utilised rocket propulsion systems appropriate for both atmospheric and space operations. This trans-atmospheric capability allowed the shuttle to operate efficiently across the full range of mission profiles required by the Earth Federation Forces, from surface-to-orbit transport to inter-orbital transfers.
Known pilots
- Federation shuttle crew (names unknown)
Behind the scenes
The 63 STS Ginga was designed by Izubuchi Yutaka for Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket. The vehicle’s designation “63 STS” appears to reference the real-world Space Transportation System (STS) designation used by NASA’s Space Shuttle programme, with “63” potentially referring to a mission number.
The name “Ginga” (ギンガ) means “galaxy” in Japanese, reflecting the vehicle’s role in space transportation operations. This naming convention aligned with the realistic, military-focused approach taken by War in the Pocket, which emphasised practical vehicle designations over more fantastical naming schemes.
Izubuchi’s design for the Ginga reflected the OVA’s commitment to realistic military hardware aesthetics, creating a practical-looking space shuttle that fit seamlessly into the grounded, war-focused narrative of the series.
Appearances
See also
- RX-78NT-1 Gundam NT-1
- Earth Federation Forces
- One Year War
External links
- 63 STS “Ginga” on the Gundam Wiki