Their research was devoted to the development of a nuclear fusion reactor. By the year U. This reactor, although designed by Dr. Minovsky in his earlier days when he was serving the Earth Federation, was still a piece of black box technology and rendered him a heretic in the classical physics community where classical in the Universal Century includes the modern physics of today.
This is the main reason for his termination of service in the Earth Federation and taking residence in Side 3 prior to the One Year War. However, seeing the horror of the Zabi family's militaristic regime, Minovsky defected back and offered his expertise to the Federation.
However, his inventions were applied very differently by the Earth Federation. The Minovsky-Ionesco reactor was named after its fictional inventor.
This reactor was "radical" due to the fact that it was the first "clean" nuclear reactor, emitting zero neutron radiation. The nuclear equation was:. The reactant used a rare isotope of helium known as helium-3 i. A helium-3 atom is fused with a deuterium atom heavy hydrogen to form the stable helium-4 and a single proton. Since the proton is positively charged, it can easily be trapped within a magnetic field. The main practical problem with this reaction is that helium-3 is extremely rare; there are few deposits on Earth, mainly found in uranium mines, and these are mostly depleted.
The Gundam world's fusion reactors rely on a constant supply of helium-3 imported from the outer solar system planet Jupiter , thus necessitating the beginning of the Jupiter Energy Fleet. The JEF would travel from Earth to Jupiter, which has a high level of helium-3 in its atmosphere, and then come back to Earth with the gas fuel.
It should be noted that in real physics, heliumdeuterium fusion produces neutrons due to inevitable deuterium-deuterium reactions. Also, significant quantities of helium-3 were recently discovered on the moon, although there is certainly much more on Jupiter. According to the official guide of Mobile Suit Gundam, Gundam Century and Gundam Officials, the Minovsky Physics Society, while working on the reactor, encountered a strange electromagnetic wave effect in U.
Within the next few years, they identified the cause: a new elementary particle generated by the helium-3 reaction on the inner wall of the reactor, which was named the Minovsky particle or "M" particle. The Minovsky particle has near-zero rest mass - though, like any particle, its mass increases to reflect its potential or kinetic energy - and can carry either a positive or negative electrical charge. When scattered in open space or in the air, the repulsive forces between charged Minovsky particles cause them to spontaneously align into a regular cubic lattice structure called an I-field.
The main use of the Minovsky particle was in combat and communication. When the Minovsky particle is spread in large numbers in the open air or in open space, the particles disrupt low-frequency electromagnetic radiation, such as microwaves and radio waves. The Minovsky particle also interferes with the operations of electronic circuitry and destroys unprotected circuits due to the particles' high electrical charge which act like a continuous electromagnetic pulse on metal objects.
Because of the way Minovsky particles react with other types of radiation, radar systems and long-range wireless communication systems become useless, infra-red signals are defracted and their accuracy decreases, and visible light is fogged.
This became known as the "Minovsky Effect". The disruption of electromagnetic radiation is due to the small lattice of the I-field creating fringes that long wavelengths cannot penetrate, and that diffract wavelengths that have similar distance with the fringes. This diffraction and polarization process disrupts the electromagnetic waves.
Notice in real life there is a similar experimental particle that could do the same thing in few thousandth of a second, which is still not practical but proves the theory to be correct.
A second use of the I-field and Minovsky particles in general was the repulsion of charged plasma and chargeless mega-particles from an I-field surface, which was of use both in power generation and armament technology. If controlled, the particles can form fringes of different widths and further interfere with electromagnetic waves of shorter wavelengths. This provides the basis for the miniaturizing of fusion reactors installed in mobile suits since a controlled I-field can block the infra-red waves.
This reduces the heat from the thermonuclear reaction and reduces the need for coolant and shielding for the fusion reactors. Without such a field, a pilot would be boiled alive in a few nanoseconds and the suit would burst into superheated gasses, thus explaining many of the series' casualties when the reactor of a mobile suit is pierced with a beam weapon powerful enough to disperse this I-field.
The only counter measure to the "M" particle in the series was to install bulky and expensive shielding on all electronic equipment, but only to counteract the effect it had on electronic circuitry. While this could be done for space ships and naval ships, this ruled out the use of precision guided weapons, such as guided missiles. Due to this, the military use of Minovsky particles ushered in a new era of close-range combat.
This is the primary reason for the birth of the Zeon close-combat weapon: the mobile suit. According to the timeline deduced by the Gundam Officials, in UC , Zeon researchers created the Minovsky ultracompact fusion reactor.
Instead of the conventional magnetic field, this improved version of the Minovsky-Ionesco reactor used an I-field to confine and compress the reactor fuel, triggering a fusion reaction. The Minovsky particles produced as a byproduct of the helium-3 fusion reaction were recycled to keep that reaction going.
The Minovsky particles that form the I-field lattice also helped catalyze the fusion reaction, in a process similar to the muon-catalyzed fusion investigated by real-world scientists during the s. This super-efficient design was only a fifth as large as an equivalently powerful Minovsky-Ionesco reactor, allowing the reactor to be mounted within the mobile suit instead of an external backpack.
For this reason, it was adopted for use on mobile suits as the standard power plant. Furthermore, Minovsky also developed the Fluid Pulse system , which utlized the Minovsky Particles to drive the Mobile Suit's system, which allows active attitude control possible. This unlimited source of electricity supplies the power needed to run an MS' avionics and life support systems, as well as the actuators and motors control the MS' joints.
A mega particle cannon like those installed in space warships requires a large electrical power source, a steady supply of energy in the form of Minovsky particles, and a massive energy condensor to compress the latter into mega particles prior to firing. Therefore, it initially seems impossible to install these weapons in mobile suits. These issues are addressed with the development of the energy capacitor, which makes it possible to create compact beam weapons with greatly reduced power and energy requirements.
The E-CAP stores Minovsky particles in a compressed, high-energy state, just short of fusing into mega particles. The power output of a mobile suit's generator, although far lower than that of a warship, is sufficient to complete this process and form mega particles. However, the E-CAP cannot be recharged by Mobile Suits themselves; once its energy is drained the weapon becomes useless. Early beam rifles were either taken back to ships for recharging or simply discarded.
Since it is made up of charged particles, the I-field is unable to penetrate metal, water, the Earth's surface, or other electrically conductive materials and can be shaped simply by trapping it in an electromagnetic field. Thus, at low altitudes it is possible to generate an I-field cushion between the underside of a vessel and the ground, yielding a gravity-countering buoyancy. The Principality of Zeon was slow to make use of this principle and the only units equipped with Minovsky craft systems during the One Year War were the MAX Adzam and the three prototype Apsalus mobile armours.
However, the Earth Federation was quick to adopt the system on its Pegasus -class assault carriers. This allowed the Pegasus -class to enter and exit earth's atmosphere and to fly while inside the atmosphere. This system could not be miniaturized to fit on a mobile suit until after U. Eventually the Minovsky Craft System design would be overhauled and upgraded into the Minovsky Drive, the first of its kind being built into the ship Mother Vanguard of the Crossbone Vanguard as a system nicknamed the "Sail of Light".
The Minovsky Drive allowed the ship to reach incredible speeds, such that it could travel between Earth and Jupiter over the course of a few weeks instead of the months it takes other ships. Several years after the ship's destruction SNRI would take the Minovsky Drive and improve it, reducing the size and installing onto three mobile suits, the F99 Record Breaker , as the "wings of light".
However All Record Breaker units, their spare parts, and all data on the "wings of light" were lost. At the same time Anaheim Electronics had scavenged the Minovsky Drive from the remains of the Mother Vanguard and used it do design their own mobile suit with a "wings of light" system.
The machine was codenamed "Icarus" by SNRI who observed the machine fall into the atmosphere of Earth, but it was later discovered that the mobile suit had used its "wings of light" as a shield to protect itself during reentry.
During the Zanscare War of the U. At the same time, high-end models fielded by League Militaire such as V Gundam and V2 Gundam , have equipped an improved version of the Minovsky craft system called the Minovsky flight system. During the One Year War , the researchers of the Flanagan Institute discover that Newtypes emit powerful thoughtwaves - similar to regular brainwaves, but not electrical in nature - which they call psycho-waves.
The Flanagan Institute goes on to develop a mind-machine interface called the psycommu psycho-communicator system, which receives these thoughtwaves and translates them into computer commands. Using this interface a Newtype pilot can direct remote weapons, and operate huge mobile armors, by thought alone. The Principality forces based at the asteroid Axis succeed in miniaturizing the psycommu system, so that it can be installed in regular-sized mobile suits like the AMX Qubeley.
The Federation Forces, meanwhile, concentrate on developing artificially enhanced cyber-Newtypes to operate their psycommu weapons. A mind-machine interface, based on the psycommu system used by Newtype , which can be used even by normal humans.
Rather than sending and receiving data via thoughtwaves as in a true psycommu system, the quasi-psycommu system continually samples the pilot's electrical brainwaves, allowing the pilot to communicate specific instructions almost instantaneously. This system permits the use of simple remote weapons like incoms, but even with computer support, these devices are capable only of two-dimensional movement.
Computer control system that takes over some of the basic tasks that a pilot normally does, and allows him or her to focus on other tasks. Also allows the user to use wire-guided weapons. An advanced type of psycommu system developed by the Crossbone Vanguard commander known as Iron Mask, and installed in the mobile armor XMA Rafflesia. Using this mind-machine interface, Iron Mask can operate the Rafflesia via thought alone, without the use of any conventional levers, pedals, or manual controls.
Designed as an anti-newtype system, the system however has the trapped soul of a young newtype girl who wishes to kill herself. Often in conflict with the program the system will cause the mobile weapon to go berserk and kill both enemy and friends alike. It takes a strong pilot to use the system and even then the newtype girl maybe still against the pilot. Only if he or she connects with her may the systems true performance come out.
This strengthening of the pilot's abilities is done by forcibly increasing and speeding up the neurotransmissions in the pilot's brain. This process however leads to the side effect of gradual memory loss.
Akin to the EXAM system's aggression and tendency to go berserk, the HADES can activate without the pilot's consent when it detects a perceived threat, regardless of it being an ally or foe. When under the influence of the system, the mobile suit's visor glows red and all of its exhaust vents glow yellow.
It improves the response time, and allows the use of complicated fire control system as well as remote weaponry. It causes the Delta Kai to produce blue flames when activated. This technology allows a mobile suit to be externally controlled via the psycommu system. The technology is later obtained by the renegade Principality of Zeon soldiers based at the asteroid Axis.
A mind control system installed in the MRX Psyco Gundam , which compels its cyber-Newtype pilot to fight in battle. A variant of the psycommu system, developed by Anaheim Electronics and experimentally installed in the MSZ Zeta Gundam in attempt to build a smaller-scale, more economical psycommu system.
Although its full capabilities are unknown, its primary purpose was to allow a Newtype pilot to more easily interface with his mobile suit via mental commands. The bio-sensor could also have a rather surprising side effect when the pilot was mentally and emotionally focused enough usually when angry or upset to cause the bio-sensor to amplify the power, speed and strength of the mobile suit for a short period of time. The Psycoframe is a powerful variation of the psycommu system.
Developed by Char Aznable 's Neo-Zeon, the Psycoframe allowed a Mobile Suit to be controlled by a Newtype pilot as if it were an extension of their own body, giving it greater response time.
However, the system is so new that the scientists and Anaheim had noticed odd phenomenon, meaning that the Psycoframe could actually be much more powerful. This was shown when Amuro, emotionally charged because of his fight with Char, overloaded the Nu Gundam, causing it to explode in a burst of light, yet using that power to tether the falling piece of Axis to the other half and pull it away from the Earth.
This system was latter used by the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam. The system works by using the Psycoframe built within its body to seek out Newtype brainwaves. Should one be found, the NT-D System activates and turns the Unicorn Gundam into its "Destroy mode", improving its stats overall and allowing it to take control of Newtype weaponry used by others and turn them against them.
However, the system has a number of flaws to it. Among them being having a five minute time usage so it wouldn't kill its pilot and the fact that it doesn't discriminate against real Newtypes and Cyber-Newtypes. Its most ironic flaw is that, because of the massive stress to gives its pilots, a Newtype is the best pilot for the unit. Thankfully, those with strong wills can overpower the system and determine when it can activate.
A new kind of man-machine interface which allows machines to be controlled by human thoughts. While functionally similar to the psycommu system, the bio-computer places less strain on its human operator.
The bio-computer is originally intended to help the disabled, but its development is ultimately funded by the Earth Federation Forces, who hope to employ it as a mobile suit control system and install it in the F91 Gundam for experimental purposes. As its name implies, the bio-computer is similar in structure to a human brain, and its operating processes resemble human thoughts and feelings. Rather than merely displaying data on a computer monitor, the bio-computer can relay it directly to the pilot in the form of sensory information, so what the machine "feels" can also be experienced by the human operator.
However, the full latent potential of this system can only be tapped by a Newtype pilot. A system in which electrical signals sent from the pilot's brain to the limbs are translated into commands for the machine for a higher quality of control. To use the system, a direct link to all limbs was needed, thus the pilot has to be a quadruple amputee, either through misfortune or volunteer surgery.
Main article: Clone Some individuals in the Universal Century are artificially-produced, genetically identical or nearly identical copies of others. Elpeo Ple has at least eleven such clones, such as Ple Two and Marida Cruz , and Char Aznable served as the basis for Full Frontal , who was genetically modified to resemble Char rather than born with an identical genome. In both cases, the clones seem to have an enhanced receptivity to the Newtype thoughtwaves of the original, particularly after the originals' deaths.
A method of preserving one's personality and memories developed by the Jupiter Empire. The bio brain is an artificial mass of brain matter collected in glass cylinders, acting as a biological computer in which one can upload a copy of their personality and memories, without deleting those in the original brain.
Thus, an unlimited number of copies of the user's mind can be made, allowing for an immortality of will, if not consciousness as well. Gundam is a massive franchise in Japan. There have been twelve TV series, scores of video games , numerous movies and direct-to-video releases—and let's not even get started on all the different manga.
So despite its cultural footprint—or perhaps because of it— Gundam is an intimidating beast, to say the least. There are so many series to choose from that it can be more than a little difficult for a newcomer to know where to start. Don't worry though; we at Kotaku East are here to help.
The first thing to choose when picking a Gundam series is the universe it's set in. While they each have similarities i. To see a breakdown of six of the most popular of these universes and recommendations on where to start watching within each, click through the gallery above. And if you wonder why Gundam AGE the currently airing series isn't included in this article, that's simply because I haven't watched it yet. What's It About? This is the original Gundam universe.
It details several wars between earth and its space colonies. Not your father's Xbox controller Brush up on your driving skills in Forza Horizon 5 with the controller the pros use. Should You Watch It? Pretty much everything in all other Gundam series has its roots in the U. It definitely has its ups and downs, though—and being as old as it is, some series haven't exactly held up very well over time. Still, even thirty years after its inception, this timeline has the most rabid Japanese fanbase of the franchise and continues to get new content even now.
Where Should You Start? Made in the mid 90's, the animation is beautiful and the story is quite moving. Happening at the same time as the original Gundam , 08th MS Team follows a group of normal soldiers on the frontline—and even has a star-crossed lovers story to boot.
This is the story of a war between Coordinators—genetically engineered humans mostly living in space—and Naturals—the normal humans living on earth. Gundams and updates them for a modern audience. It is the perfect Gundam gateway drug and what you like or dislike in the C.
It follows a young coordinator from a neutral space colony. But when the colony is attacked, he and his friends find themselves rescued by a Natural warship. It is set chronologically about a thousand years after the end of the Universal Century , and roughly years after the Correct Century.
The Post Disaster era is a timeline set years after a devastating war known as the "Calamity War". The Gundam Wiki Explore. Setsuna F. Explore Wikis Community Central.
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