*Jupitris II* – MechaBay | Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ

The Jupitris II was the second ship of the Jupitris-class and served as a replacement for the original Jupitris after its destruction during the Gryps Conflict. The vessel became famous for carrying former AEUG pilots Judau Ashta and Roux Louka to Jupiter following the conclusion of the First Neo Zeon War.

History

The Jupitris II was constructed by the Jupiter Energy Fleet as a direct replacement for the original Jupitris, which had been destroyed at the end of the Gryps Conflict in February UC 0088. The original vessel had been lost when Kamille Bidan, piloting the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam, launched a devastating ramming attack against Paptimus Scirocco and his PMX-003 The-O, destroying both mobile suits and the entire Jupitris.

Like its predecessor, the Jupitris II was designed as an ultra large interplanetary Helium-3 carrier, maintaining the essential supply route between Jupiter and the Earth Sphere. The vessel’s primary mission remained the transportation of the rare Helium-3 isotope that powered the Universal Century’s Minovsky fusion reactors.

Post-war operations

Following the end of the First Neo Zeon War in January UC 0089, the Jupitris II prepared for another supply run to Jupiter. Unlike the previous vessel, which had been commandeered by Paptimus Scirocco for military purposes, the Jupitris II returned to its purely civilian role under the Jupiter Energy Fleet.

The most significant event in the vessel’s early service was the decision by former AEUG pilots Judau Ashta and Roux Louka to join its crew for the journey to Jupiter. Both pilots had grown weary of the constant warfare that had defined their teenage years and sought a fresh start away from the conflicts of the Earth Sphere.

Their departure marked the end of their military service with the AEUG and the beginning of new lives in the outer solar system. For Judau, the journey represented an opportunity to escape the cycle of violence that had claimed so many of his friends and comrades. For Roux, it offered a chance to build a relationship with Judau away from the pressures of war.

Journey to Jupiter

During the voyage to Jupiter, the Jupitris II maintained vigilance for potential threats, particularly from Neo Zeon remnants who might still pose a danger to civilian vessels. The crew remained alert despite the vessel’s civilian status and the apparent end of hostilities.

During the journey, Judau piloted the MSZ-010S ZZ-GR, a variant of his original MSZ-010 ZZ Gundam that had been rebuilt using parts sent by his sister Leina Ashta. This mobile suit served as both a defensive measure for the Jupitris II and a birthday present for Judau from his friends and family.

The journey proved eventful when the Jupitris II encountered Neo Zeon remnant forces pursuing an AMX-004 Qubeley Mk-II. The pilot of the Qubeley was an Elpeo Ple clone seeking to escape from the remaining Neo Zeon forces. Judau, demonstrating the compassion that had defined his character throughout the war, chose to assist the defecting pilot despite the potential danger.

The encounter resulted in a brief but intense battle as Judau used the ZZ-GR to destroy several AMX-014 Döven Wolf mobile suits and MS-06 Zaku II units that were pursuing the Qubeley. His intervention allowed the Elpeo Ple clone to safely dock with the Jupitris II, providing her with the sanctuary she sought.

Design

As a member of the Jupitris-class, the Jupitris II shared the same basic design characteristics as its predecessor. At 2,000 metres in length, it remained one of the largest vessels ever constructed in the Universal Century, designed specifically for the transportation of massive quantities of Helium-3.

The vessel’s enormous size was necessitated by its cargo capacity, featuring twenty large storage tanks for Helium-3 fuel. However, unlike the original Jupitris, which had been extensively modified by Paptimus Scirocco for mobile suit development, the Jupitris II appeared to maintain its original civilian configuration.

Manufacturing and maintenance facilities

Whilst most of the ship’s space was devoted to storing Helium-3, the massive vessel retained the capability to support mobile suit production and maintenance. This functionality was essential for long-duration voyages between Jupiter and the Earth Sphere, where mobile suits might require repairs or upgrades during the extended journey.

These facilities proved useful during Judau and Roux’s time aboard the vessel, as they were able to maintain and operate their mobile suits during the voyage. The presence of the MSZ-010S ZZ-GR aboard the ship demonstrated that the Jupitris II retained the hangar space and support equipment necessary for advanced mobile suits.

Propulsion system

The Jupitris II was powered by the same four nuclear pulse engines that had propelled the original Jupitris. This propulsion system was specifically designed to handle the enormous mass of the fully loaded vessel whilst maintaining reasonable travel times across the vast distances between Jupiter and the Earth Sphere.

The journey between Jupiter and the Earth Sphere typically took approximately three years for a round trip, requiring highly reliable propulsion systems capable of sustained operation. The nuclear pulse propulsion system provided the necessary thrust whilst maintaining fuel efficiency over interplanetary distances.

Known crew and passengers

The Jupitris II carried a mixed crew of Jupiter Energy Fleet personnel and civilian passengers. The most notable passengers were:

Judau Ashta, former AEUG pilot and ace of the ZZ Gundam
Roux Louka, former AEUG pilot and Zeta Gundam pilot
An Elpeo Ple clone who defected from Neo Zeon remnants

The ship’s captain and senior crew members remain unknown, though they demonstrated professionalism in handling the encounter with Neo Zeon remnants during the journey. The captain showed wisdom in allowing Judau to make tactical decisions regarding the approaching mobile suits, recognising his combat experience and expertise.

Operational significance

The Jupitris II represented the return of the Jupiter Energy Fleet to its primary civilian mission following the end of the Gryps Conflict. Unlike the original Jupitris, which had been transformed into a mobile base for Paptimus Scirocco’s military ambitions, the second vessel maintained its focus on the vital task of transporting Helium-3 fuel.

The presence of former AEUG pilots aboard the vessel provided an additional layer of security during the journey, though this was not the primary reason for their inclusion in the crew. Judau and Roux’s decision to join the Jupiter Energy Fleet represented a broader trend of war veterans seeking new lives away from the conflicts of the Earth Sphere.

Later history

The Jupitris II continued to serve the Jupiter Energy Fleet throughout the late Universal Century. Judau Ashta eventually became a significant figure within the fleet, taking command of another Jupitris-class vessel, the Heinlein, by UC 0149.

Under the alias Grey Stoke, Judau used his position within the Jupiter Energy Fleet to oversee the Dandelion colony, which was revealed to be populated by Newtypes. His continued involvement with the fleet demonstrated the lasting impact of his journey aboard the Jupitris II.

Behind the scenes

The Jupitris II was designed by Fujita Kazumi, maintaining the design characteristics established for the original Jupitris-class. The vessel served as an important narrative device for concluding Judau and Roux’s story arcs, providing them with a means of departure from the Earth Sphere.

The ship’s detailed journey to Jupiter was depicted in Gundam Evolve 10, which expanded on the brief conclusion of Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ. This short showed the ongoing adventures of the former AEUG pilots and demonstrated that even in peacetime, the skills and compassion developed during wartime remained relevant. However, the canonical status of the Gundam Evolve series remains disputed amongst fans, as the shorts were promotional material described as “alternative scenes, side-stories or omakes for fans”.

The vessel’s encounter with Neo Zeon remnants in Gundam Evolve 10 served to show that the conflicts of the First Neo Zeon War had lasting consequences, with various factions and individuals continuing to struggle with the aftermath of the conflict.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (ending)
Gundam Evolve 10

External links

Jupitris class (Jupitris II) on MAHQ