Shuttle
Space shuttle owned and operated by the Vist Foundation for mobile suit transport operations.
The Shuttle was a space shuttle owned and operated by the private Vist Foundation for mobile suit transport operations. The spacecraft featured cargo capacity large enough to accommodate a mobile suit, making it suitable for covert military transport missions.
The Vist Foundation operated various spacecraft and vehicles to support its complex operations throughout the Universal Century. As a powerful private organisation with significant influence over Earth Federation politics and military technology development, the Foundation required reliable transport assets capable of moving sensitive cargo and personnel discreetly.
History
In UC 0096, during the Laplace Incident, the Vist Foundation used the Shuttle for a critical transport mission. The Foundation deployed the spacecraft to transport Riddhe Marcenas and the RX-0[N] Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn to space as part of the organisation’s efforts to prevent the opening of Laplace’s Box.
This mission occurred after Alberto Vist had manipulated Riddhe’s growing frustration and jealousy over Banagher Links and Mineva Lao Zabi. Alberto provided Riddhe with the upgraded Banshee Norn, hoping to use the pilot’s emotional instability to destroy the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam and prevent the revelation of the Universal Century’s founding secret.
The Shuttle successfully delivered Riddhe and the Banshee Norn to space, where the pilot initially engaged in destructive actions before eventually finding redemption and working alongside Banagher to protect Industrial 7 from the Gryps 2 colony laser attack.
Performance
The Shuttle utilised conventional space propulsion systems appropriate for private organisation operations. The spacecraft provided adequate performance for Earth-to-space transport missions whilst maintaining the operational security necessary for Foundation activities.
The vessel’s performance parameters were optimised for cargo transport rather than speed or manoeuvrability, reflecting its primary role as a logistics support platform rather than a high-performance military transport.
Behind the scenes
The Shuttle appeared in Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn as part of the Vist Foundation’s fleet of support vehicles. The spacecraft’s design reflected the Foundation’s need for discrete transport capability for sensitive operations.
Appearances
See also
External links
- Shuttle on MAHQ
Design
The PCST Shuttle featured a conventional space shuttle design optimised for civilian transportation requirements. The spacecraft incorporated separate passenger and cargo compartments to accommodate diverse mission profiles, from simple passenger transport to complex cargo delivery operations.
The passenger cabin was designed to accommodate multiple passengers in comfortable seating arrangements suitable for extended space journeys. The cabin included basic life support systems and passenger amenities necessary for civilian space travel, reflecting the routine nature of space transportation during the late Universal Century.
A dedicated storage hangar was integrated into the shuttle’s design, capable of housing a single mobile suit or equivalent cargo volume. This feature reflected the practical reality that civilian transport often needed to accommodate military hardware, industrial equipment, or oversized cargo that required specialised handling.
The dual-pilot configuration provided operational redundancy and improved safety margins during critical flight phases. The cockpit was equipped with standard navigation and communication systems necessary for civilian space operations, including traffic control interfaces and emergency systems.
The spacecraft’s design emphasised reliability and maintainability over performance, reflecting its role in commercial operations where operational costs and safety were primary concerns rather than military capability.
Performance
The Shuttle utilised conventional propulsion systems appropriate for civilian space operations. The propulsion package provided adequate performance for Earth-to-space and inter-colony transportation whilst maintaining the safety margins required for civilian certification.
The spacecraft’s performance envelope was optimised for cargo and passenger comfort rather than speed or manoeuvrability. This design philosophy resulted in a stable, predictable flight platform suitable for civilian crews and passengers unfamiliar with high-performance spacecraft operations.
Safety systems
As a civilian transport vessel, the Shuttle incorporated comprehensive safety systems including emergency life support, escape systems, and communication equipment necessary for civilian space operations. These systems met the stringent safety requirements imposed by civilian aviation authorities throughout the Universal Century.
Behind the scenes
The Shuttle was designed as part of the civilian vehicle complement for Mobile Suit Victory Gundam, reflecting the series’ emphasis on civilian perspectives during military conflicts.
The spacecraft’s simple design reflected the practical requirements of civilian space transportation and provided a contrast to the sophisticated military vessels featured throughout the series.
Appearances
See also
- Public Corporation of Space Transport
- League Militaire
- LM312V04 Victory Gundam
External links
- Shuttle on MAHQ