The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has some big plans for 2020. In fact, they are teaming up with the University of Tokyo and the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Together, they are planning to launch some GunPla into space.

For the project, staff from the University of Tokyo will be developing a small G-Satellite that will have a Gundam plastic model of the RX-78-2 Gundam, as well as Char Aznable’s Zaku II commander-type. JAXA will then release it into outer space from the International Space Station’s Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). It will happen between March and April 2020.

The small satellite carrying the two GunPla models will be orbiting the Earth. It will also be transmitting supportive messages as it orbits the globe. They will be mounting old Grandpa RX-78-2 on top, while Char’s Zaku II will be located at the cockpit of the G-Satellite.

JAXA will also build them to be suitable for space, complete with special paint and materials in order for them to withstand the harsh conditions there. They will also modify the Gundam’s eyes to cycle through all five Olympic colors. Meanwhile, the G-Satellite itself, which measures in at 10cm x 10cm x 30cm, will have a message board to display some greetings. It boasts seven cameras in order to record the G-Satellite’s progress.

The G-SATELLITE is part of the larger “One Team Project”, which is a collaboration between the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and several Japanese creators. It will arrive at JAXA sometime in autumn 2019, and will then have a press conference in December. It will outline the details of the launch.

Well then, I guess these GunPla will not be held back by gravity any longer, huh? And with the Char’s Zaku II, I wonder if it’s gonna be three times faster than normal satellites?

source: JAXA official collaboration website