The Apsaras I (also known as Apsalus I) is a mobile armor developed by the Principality of Zeon in the OVA Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team.
Technology & Combat Characteristics[]
The Apsaras Project, approved by Degwin Sodo Zabi and led by Ginias Sahalin,[1] was a project to construct a mobile armor capable of descending from the stratosphere and destroying the Earth Federation Forces headquarters, Jaburo, using a powerful mega particle cannon.[2] The Apsaras I was the project's first prototype and its development focus was the Minovsky Craft System. As such, it was unarmed, and the mega particle cannon at its center was a dummy. However, it was capable of attacking by increasing the output of its Minovsky Craft to generate a shockwave.[3]
Special Equipment & Features[]
- A lift-generating system that allows a vehicle to resist the pull of Earth's gravity. When Minovsky particles are released into the air, the positive and negative particles spontaneously align themselves into a three-dimensional cubic lattice. Because of the repulsive and electrostatic forces between the particles, this lattice resists compression, and the Minovsky Craft System uses this phenomenon to push the underside of the vehicle away from the planet's surface. This allows the equipped vehicle to float over Earth's surface. It is not installed on a standard mobile suit due to its power requirements and size. The Apsaras I can raise the output of its Minovsky Craft System momentarily to generate a shockwave that can be used as a means of attack.
History[]
In October, U.C. 0079,[4] the Apsaras I, piloted by Aina Sahalin, completed its first test flight, marking the completion of the first phase of the Apsaras Project.[1] However, during a subsequent test flight, it experienced a malfunction and was forced to descend in Federation-controlled territory, encountering the Federation's 08th Mobile Suit Team in the process.
In order to protect Norris Packard's Dopp, Aina rammed the Apsaras into Karen Joshua's RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type, then unleashed a powerful shockwave using its Minovsky Craft System. Terry Sanders Jr. fired at the Apsaras using his Gundam Ground Type's cannon, then jumped and attacked it with a beam saber. However, Aina was able to send Sanders's unit flying back. Just as she was attempting to generate another shockwave, however, she was forced to retreat by the concentrated fire from the other two units of the team.[1]
The Apsaras I later crash landed near a village. While it was being repaired, Zeon forces occupied the village, disallowing anyone to leave in order to keep the presence of the mobile armor a secret. After the repairs were finished, the Apsaras I took off.[5] It was later fitted with a functional mega particle cannon, becoming the Apsaras II.[6]
Variants[]
- Apsaras 0
- Appearing in the manga Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team U.C.0079 + α, this machine is used for collecting atmospheric entry data. It has some similarities with the Apsaras I, such as a hemispherical Minovsky Craft system located at the bottom of its huge body. However, its upper body is that of a Zaku II (whose design resembles the MS-06RD-4 Zaku High Mobility Test Type). In the event of an emergency with the Minovsky Craft System during testing, the upper body of the Zaku II functions as an escape device, enabling the recovery of the data collected.
Gallery[]
Anime[]
Manga[]
Illustrations & Artwork[]
Games[]
Notes & Trivia[]
- The name of this mobile armour has been officially localized as both Apsaras and Apsalus, with the name "Apsalus" being used in official subtitles and dubs and "Apsaras" being used in model kits.
- The name Apsaras is derived from a rendering of "Apsara", a female spirit of clouds and water in Hindu and Buddhist culture.
- Apsalus is derived from an ancient Macedonian city.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "The Demon Overhead"
- ↑ "Front Line"
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team Official Archive, p.48
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team Official Archive, p.12
- ↑ "The Broken Order to Standby"
- ↑ "Battle Line in the Burning Sand"
External links[]