Von Braun
The first and largest lunar city established by the Earth Federation.
Von Braun was the first and largest lunar city established by the Earth Federation in the Sea of Tranquility. Named after German rocket scientist Wernher von Braun, the city was constructed near the historic Apollo 11 landing site.
History
Von Braun was established in UC 0027 in the Cayley crater. Like other lunar settlements, the city was built underground with fibre-optic viaducts channelling sunlight from the surface to create an artificial sky over a vast atrium that served as outdoor space for inhabitants. The Armstrong Plaza and Armstrong Park formed the main thoroughfare at the city centre.
The city specialised in heavy equipment manufacturing and was considered strategically vital—it was said that whoever controlled Von Braun controlled the Moon. During the One Year War, the city remained under Earth Federation control like most of the Moon’s near side. Anaheim Electronics later established its headquarters there, developing prototype mobile suits including the Gundam Development Project in UC 0083.
In November UC 0083, the Albion docked at Von Braun while pursuing the Delaz Fleet. Zeon pilot Kelley Layzner threatened to attack the city unless allowed to challenge the Gundam aboard Albion. The crew complied to protect the civilian population.
The Titans launched Operation Apollo in UC 0087 to drive the Anti-Earth Union Group from Von Braun. During the battle, the Titans attempted to drop a colony on the city but were thwarted by AEUG forces. Sarah Zabiarov later infiltrated Von Braun and planted explosives near Armstrong Park targeting the Argama. Though Kamille Bidan failed to prevent the bombing, he warned the ship in time to evacuate, though the spaceport suffered significant damage.
By the UC 0090s, Anaheim Electronics’ Von Braun facility continued producing mobile suits for the Earth Federation Forces, including the RGM-89 Jegan and RX-93 ν Gundam.
Design
The city was constructed in multiple underground levels connected by a central elevator shaft. Fibre-optic viaducts channelled sunlight from the lunar surface through the cavern ceiling, creating the illusion of Earth-like sky. The city featured distinct districts including residential areas, government offices, commercial zones, and industrial sectors.
Surface facilities included spaceports equipped with guidance laser systems to assist ships with docking and departure. Multiple sealed hangars connected the underground city to these external docking facilities.
The Anaheim Electronics complex dominated the industrial district, with extensive mobile suit development and manufacturing facilities. Major prototypes developed there included the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II, MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki, and MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam.
Behind the scenes
According to Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt, Von Braun was founded by Andy Wellington and Otto Fleming, father of Io Fleming. The city was conceived as a refuge for Earth’s biosphere, earning it the nickname “The Noah’s Ark of the Universal Century” for its role in preserving endangered species.
The city’s neutral status during the One Year War varies between depictions, with the Gihren’s Greed video game series portraying it as neutral territory.
External links
- Von Braun on the Gundam Wiki