Haunzen
Luxury interplanetary passenger shuttle used by the Earth Federation elite.
The Haunzen was a luxury interplanetary passenger shuttle class used by wealthy Earth Federation officials and elite civilians during UC 0105. These vessels provided premium transportation services between Earth and the space colonies.
History
Haunzen-class shuttles were operated as exclusive passenger services, primarily serving high-ranking government officials, corporate executives, and other members of the privileged elite. The spacecraft featured luxurious accommodations that reflected the socio-economic divide that had developed within Earth Federation society by UC 0105.
Haunzen Flight 356
The most notable service was Haunzen Flight 356, which departed Von Braun on the Moon on 19 April UC 0105, bound for Hong Kong on Earth. This particular flight was chartered to transport multiple Earth Federation cabinet ministers and senior officials travelling to Adelaide, Australia for the Adelaide Conference—the 25th official meeting of the Federation cabinet.
Notable passengers aboard Flight 356 included Minister Karl Eyinstein, Minister Logan McGovern, Communications Minister Sauli Stahlberg, Public Health Minister Hiram Mescher, and Jupiter Development Agency Director Douglas Higgins. Other significant passengers included Colonel Kenneth Sleg of the Earth Federation Forces, Gigi Andalucia, Chief Hundley Yeoksan of the Criminal Police Organization, and Hathaway Noa.
The flight became the target of a terrorist hijacking shortly after entering Earth’s atmosphere. An ORX-005 Gaplant surreptitiously approached the shuttle and deployed a boarding capsule onto the hull. The hijackers, falsely claiming to represent the anti-Federation group Mafty, took control of the passenger compartment and threatened the high-profile passengers.
The hijacking was ultimately thwarted through the efforts of passengers aboard the shuttle, though the incident highlighted the growing tensions between the Earth Federation government and various resistance movements opposing Federation policies.
Design
Haunzen-class shuttles were designed with luxury and comfort as primary considerations. The passenger compartments featured small but opulent interiors with premium seating and amenities befitting their wealthy clientele. The exclusive nature of these services meant that reservations were typically limited to government officials, corporate executives, and other members of the social elite.
The spacecraft were configured for interplanetary travel, capable of atmospheric entry and landing operations on both Earth and the lunar colonies. Their civilian design meant they carried no armaments and depended entirely on escort protection during periods of political instability.
The shuttle’s passenger capacity was deliberately limited to maintain the exclusive atmosphere expected by its high-paying customers. Individual passengers could reserve multiple seats to ensure privacy and prevent unwanted interaction with other travellers.
Safety and security
As civilian vessels carrying high-profile passengers, Haunzen shuttles were equipped with standard commercial safety systems and emergency protocols. However, their luxury focus and civilian nature made them vulnerable to the type of terrorist action that befell Flight 356.
The vessels lacked military-grade defensive systems or countermeasures, relying instead on their civilian status and the presumed protection offered by Federation space traffic control systems.
Behind the scenes
The Haunzen appeared in Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway, serving as the setting for the opening hijacking sequence that established the political tensions and class divisions central to the film’s themes.
The vessel’s exclusive passenger manifest effectively illustrated the privileged position of Federation elites and their disconnect from the broader population’s concerns about Federation policies.
Appearances
See also
- Haunzen Flight 356 Hijacking
- Adelaide Conference