SP-W03 Space Pod

The SP-W03 Space Pod was a civilian mobile pod used for space colony construction. It was later adapted by the Earth Federation into the RB-79 Ball during the One Year War.

The “SP” in the type name indicated it was a space pod. The “W03” denoted that it was the third design of the worker range.

History

The Colony Public Corporation used the SP-W03 Space Pod for space colony construction and maintenance work. When the One Year War broke out in January UC 0079, the Earth Federation found itself at a severe disadvantage against the Principality of Zeon’s mobile suits.

As a stopgap measure, the Federation refitted approximately 1,200 civilian SP-W03 Space Pods into combat units while developing their own mobile suits. These refitted pods became the RB-79 Ball, which served as combat support units alongside the Federation’s first mass-production mobile suit, the RGM-79 GM.

Design

The SP-W03 Space Pod featured a spherical main body with a glass-covered cockpit section to provide good visibility for construction work. It was equipped with two manipulator arms for handling materials and performing maintenance tasks. The simple and robust design made it well-suited for its civilian role and allowed for relatively straightforward conversion into the military RB-79 Ball.

Armaments

As a civilian construction pod, the SP-W03 had no weapons. Its only equipment consisted of the manipulator arms used for construction and maintenance work.

Known pilots

• Borman
• Ken Bederstadt
• Nikola
• Chase Skullgard

Behind the scenes

Okawara Kunio was the original mechanical designer.

Appearances

• Mobile Suit Variations

External links

• SP-W03 Space Pod on the Gundam Wiki
• SP-W03 Space Pod on MAHQ