Galaxy Shuttle

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Galaxy Shuttle is an Autobot from the Victory portion of the Generation 1 continuity family.

I know the pain of Astrotrain...

Galaxy Shuttle (ギャラクシーシャトル Gyarakushī Shatoru) does not have a very interesting name. Nor does he have an interesting personality. Nor does he have an interesting job, which is basically "Autobot bus, but in space". Sometimes people even forget his name and just call him "Shuttle Robo" (シャトルロボ Shatoru Robo).

However, he is very, very big, which certainly means he can really make things interesting when into a combat situation. And if his huge Moonbeam Gun isn't enough to cook a 'Con to a crisp, he has ridiculously interesting "Meteor Crusher" ability, which allows him to become the center of a swarm of meteors which he can use to smash land-based targets to a fine powder. Yikes.

Fiction

Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity

Victory cartoon

Voice actor: Shingo Hiromori (Japanese)

After the Autobots evacuated the human staff of Earth's lunar base to Galaxy Base, Galaxy Shuttle remained on standby. Soon, Wingwaver was attacked by the Dinoforce on his way to Earth, and the Brainmasters went to rescue him, which was exactly what the Decepticons had been counting on. The Dinoforce's shells attacked the base, soon damaging it beyond repair. The Shuttle Base and its human occupants was detached and sent to Earth, allowing Galaxy Shuttle to take part in the fight. He used his thrusters to blast the Dinoforce back into the depths of space, then transformed into shuttle mode to give his comrades a ride to Earth. Sneak Attack! Dinoking Arriving on Earth, Galaxy Shuttle set down by a scenic lake, and onboard the other Autobots scanned Earth for signs of Decepticons. Attack! Leozack Galaxy Shuttle was sitting around in shuttle mode on top of the Shuttle Base when Jan showed his classmate Illumina around. Move Out! Rescue Team

When the Decepticons attacked a uranium mine somewhere in Africa, Galaxy Shuttle was called on to help evacuate the human workers. Infiltration... The Uranium Mine When the Decepticons were detected gathering energy in the Amazon, Galaxy Shuttle flew Blacker and the Multiforce to the area. He helped Dashtacker and Machtackle get away, then returned when the fighting was over to pick up the others. Explosion!! The Energy Base When the Decepticons were found messing around with the subway system of a city on the west coast of America, Galaxy Shuttle transported the other Autobots to the city, along with the stowaway Jan. Big City - Underground Terror

As the Shuttle Base patrolled Japan for signs of Decepticon activity, Galaxy Shuttle remained sitting on top of it. The New Warrior - Hellbat When word came in that the Decepticons were attacking a shuttle base in Nevada they'd already attacked two times before, Galaxy Shuttle transported Laster, Wingwaver, Fire and Pīpō to the site of battle. Attack the Shuttle Base!! Galaxy Shuttle was sitting on the landing pad of the Shuttle Base as the Autobots watched news of a mysterious fuel shortage in Marine City. Tanker Hijack Operation

When the Autobots received a distress signal from a fleet of tanker ships under Decepticon attack, Galaxy Shuttle carried the Brainmasters to the fleet's location. Star Saber then ordered him to return to the Shuttle Base, since Galaxy Shuttle's abilities were limited over water. He returned to the base to hear from Machtackle that Hellbat had managed to infiltrate it, and was charged with keeping watch for Jan and Holi, who were still outside. Apparently ignoring this order, Galaxy Shuttle found Hellbat attempting to flee, and tried nabbing the Decepticon himself, only for his large size to backfire and get him stuck, a fact Hellbat taunted him about. Making matters worse, the returning Holi and Jan saw Galaxy Shuttle's plight and went to ask what was wrong, allowing the cowardly Breastmaster to take them hostage and flee. Feeling responsible, Galaxy Shuttle assisted Star Saber in searching for his ward. They found the pair as they fled from Hellbat's captivity and Galaxy Shuttle saved the two from plummeting to their doom with a large net. Dinoking appeared to fight Star Saber, until Galaxy Shuttle took part and his gargantuan size sent the entire Dinoforce running. Despite the day's events, all Hellbat had succeeded at doing was stealing Jan's homework program, and Galaxy Shuttle joined in the good-natured laugh at his misfortune. Rescue Jan!!

After a sudden rash of spaceships going missing in the Solar System's asteroid belt, which was surmised to be the Decepticons at work, Star Saber devised a plan to disguise himself as an Earth ship and get captured. On doing so, he sent a signal to the Autobots telling Galaxy Shuttle to bring the Brainmasters to his location. As they fought the Dinoforce, Galaxy Shuttle was used to rescue the human ship crews the Decepticons had taken captive. A Fierce Battle!! The Asteroid On the return journey to Earth, the Autobots received news that the planet Micro had suffered a series of sudden, violent attacks. Galaxy Shuttle transported the nervous Rescue Patrol to their home planet. Planet Micro - The Mysterious Warrior Once the Decepticon culprits for the attack were driven off, the Autobots prepared to return to Earth. Before they could leave, however, the planet's highest security prison came under attack from the Breastforce. Galaxy Shuttle accompanied Star Saber to the penitentiary, and was ordered to remain outside on standby while the commander and the Rescue Patrol went inside. When the prison proved unsalvageable, Galaxy Shuttle was called upon to carry the facility's remaining staff and prisoners to safety. Rescue! Guyhawk

Once their work on Micro was done, the Autobots returned to Earth. Their path took them past the Dark Nebula, where Deathsaurus and his forces were attempting to restore the Planet-Destroying Fortress. The Autobots were detected by Yokuryu, and the Decepticons attacked, paralyzing Galaxy Shuttle. As Deathsaurus fought Star Saber, the Dinoforce attempted to board Galaxy Shuttle, only to be repelled by the Rescue Patrol Team. As a Plan B, they attempted to destroy the Autobots with an extremely large bomb. Jan was able to use Galaxy Shuttle's manipulator arms to return the bomb back to the Thunder Arrow, driving the Dinoforce off. With that done, the Autobots went to help their commander, in danger of being slain by Deathsaurus's Living-Metal-Destroying Cannon. Galaxy Shuttle's arrival proved enough to send the Decepticon's shot wild, hitting him, but this proved fortuitous, as it depleted the cannon's energy supply and forced Deathsaurus to retreat. With the Decepticons gone, the battered Autobots made their way back to Earth. Resurrection!? The Decepticon Fortress

"Hey, look! I'm doing something! I'm as surprised as you are."

Back on Earth, the Autobots soon found Deathsaurus's forces up to their usual tricks, when sea levels began inexplicably rising. They were able to track the source to Antarctica, where the Decepticons had set up an energy draining machine. Galaxy Shuttle accompanied Star Saber to the South Pole, bringing the Rescue Patrol Team, Jan, and Jan's school friend Clump with him. Lagging behind the commander, Galaxy Shuttle arrived to find him and Landcross fighting Liokaiser, and losing. Galaxy Shuttle tried interposing himself between the Decepticon and Star Saber, only to be immediately knocked off his feet with one strike from the combiner. However, Liokaiser was soon distracted as Star Saber and Deathsaurus fought, allowing an injured Galaxy Shuttle to slip away. Crawling over to the Decepticon drilling machine, Galaxy Shuttle managed to destroy the device in one shot, thwarting the Decepticon plan. Fight to the Death!! Antarctic Battle

While the Autobots were patrolling the Tibetan Plateau, they received word of a Decepticon attack on an oil field. A cautious Star Saber ordered the Autobots to investigate, and Galaxy Shuttle assured him they'd be wary. However, the Decepticons noticed the space shuttle's approach, having lain an ambush. Galaxy Shuttle was attacked and shot down by the Breastforce, making an inelegant belly-flop onto the sand. His injuries weren't too severe, and he was soon able to fly again, as the Rescue Patrol Team used him to evacuate the rig's workers. Crisis! Ambush in the Desert

A short time later, the Autobots received word of an attack on their Asian garrison's headquarters. Galaxy Shuttle duly carried the diminished Autobot forces to the site so they could assist their comrades. However, the attack had been a feint to lure Star Saber in, and he was badly injured. A Deadly Battle In the aftermath, with Star Saber and Blacker incapacitated, the Decepticons grew bolder still, with the Dinoforce attacking the New Cheyenne Airport in America. The Brainmasters, including a not fully recovered Blacker, took Galaxy Shuttle to back-up the Multiforce in driving the thieves off, with Galaxy Shuttle buzzing the dinosaurian 'cons, but they were unable to stop them escaping with the depot's energy. Ginrai Dies!! Afterward, Galaxy Shuttle returned to the Shuttle Base, now relocated to Hawaii as medics worked on rebuilding the critically injured God Ginrai. Fight!! Victory Leo

With word that the Decepticons were operating in the Orient, the Autobots relocated to Japan, with Galaxy Shuttle heading out to patrol for them. Awaken! Victory Leo Galaxy Shuttle was once again sitting on top of the Shuttle Base when it was in India, as the Autobots received word from Deathsaurus of a new super-weapon he intended to hold Earth hostage with. The Tide Is Turned! The Ultimate Weapon, the Victory Unification Galaxy Shuttle was also sitting on top of the Shuttle Base on the day Jan finished his new mech, the "Illumina II". Jan - Defend the Campus!!

While Star Saber left to attend a conference on Planet V, the remaining Autobots kept busy. Jan and Holi decided to clean Galaxy Shuttle as part of their duties, but didn't even begin before nearly getting themselves killed via malfunctioning cradle, and then by a sudden series of bombings around the base. A Mystery?! The Deception of the Base Bombs

When Star Saber went to investigate signs of a possible Decepticon attack in India, only to mysteriously fail to report in, Galaxy Shuttle transported the Brainmasters to rendezvous with him. However, on arrival it turned out to be a trap. The Death-Bringing Space Insects!!

After a month without Decepticon activity, the villains dramatically reappeared by raising the lost continent of Atlantis from the ocean depths. Despite the Autobots' efforts, they were unable to stop Deathsaurus making off with the energy this provided. The Terror of the Giant Tidal Waves Realizing this would finally allow him to restore his planet-destroying fortress, the Brainmasters took Galaxy Shuttle to try and intercept the Decepticons before they could achieve their goal. However, they were unable to do so. The Brainmasters then sent Galaxy Shuttle back to Earth while they and Greatshot tried to hold the fortress off. The Wrath of the Resurrected Giant Fortress! Galaxy Shuttle returned to the Shuttle Base, which proved fortiutous for Jan, as he acquired information from a vengeful Goryu, left behind on Earth to die, on how to cripple the fortress. Galaxy Shuttle then took Jan and a stowaway Holi to intercept the fortress. Once the fortress had been successfully destroyed, Galaxy Shuttle gave the two a lift back to Earth, allowing Jan to reunite with Illumina. Showdown! The Fortress vs the Victory Unification

Zone

After the defeat of Deathsaurus and his fortress, the Decepticons eventually consolidated again, this time under the command of Emperor Violengiguar, and began conquering vast expanses of space. To combat this threat, Victory Saber stationed Galaxy Shuttle on the Planet Zone, overseeing several Micromaster teams and mobilizing them on coordinated strike missions to defend planets from Decepticon attack. Zone Part 1

On a mission to Feminia, however, the planet was completely destroyed by Violengiguar's Generals. Galaxy Shuttle managed to ferry away as much of the planet's population as he could, but Victory Saber was considerably damaged by the explosion, and so command of the Autobots was passed on to Dai Atlas. Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!

Later, Violengiguar sent his new warriors, Metrotitan and the Metrosquad to attack the Lunar Zone Base. Galaxy Shuttle was killed by Metrotitan in the attack. Zone Part 8

Legacy VS500 Collection Special Comic

Galaxy Shuttle was rebuilt into a triple changing body with space shuttle and locomotive modes, although the Autobot worried he could be mistaken for a Decepticon.^[1] In this form, Galaxy Shuttle joined the second week of the Speedia 500 to determine the leader of Velocitron. Despite Crasher's attempt to sabotage the race by creating a chasm in the track, Galaxy Shuttle was able to transform into his space shuttle mode and go on to win the race. The established racers weren't particularly happy at the intruding racer winning. Velocitron Speedia 500 Part 3

Legends comic

Galaxy Shuttle stood in defense of the Micromasters when their world again came under attack. Galaxy Shuttle protected Moonradar and Rabbicrater when Metrotitan struck, standing up against the Decepticon once responsible for killing him. LG-EX Big Powered Prologue Part One

TV Magazine comic continuity

Victory comic

When Leozack attacked the Earth, Star Saber and the Autobots were stationed onboard Galaxy Shuttle. After receiving an SOS, Star Saber left to investigate the attack. Leozack's Rampage!

Later, Blacker left Earth via Galaxy Shuttle to return to Planet V, where he was greeted by Shūta and Cab. Star of Friendship, Jan and Star Saber!

When Deathsaurus initiated his final assault on the Earth, Galaxy Shuttle carried the Victories into battle, helping them invade the Decepticon Space City. Although they bested the Dinoforce, they were stalled by an explosive trap set up by Leozack. The Grand Victory War

Zone comic

The Decepticons came under under the command of Emperor Violengiguar, and began conquering vast expanses of space. To combat this threat, Victory Saber stationed Galaxy Shuttle on the Planet Zone, overseeing several Micromaster teams and mobilizing them on coordinated strike missions to defend planets from Decepticon attack. Zone Part 1

On a mission to Feminia, however, the planet was completely destroyed by Violengiguar's Generals. Galaxy Shuttle managed to ferry away as much of the planet's population as he could, but Victory Saber was considerably damaged by the explosion, and so command of the Autobots was passed on to Dai Atlas. Zone

Later, Violengiguar sent his new warriors, Metrotitan and the Metrosquad to attack the Lunar Zone Base. Galaxy Shuttle was killed by Metrotitan in the attack. Zone Part 8

TransTech

Tasked with a new assignment, Galaxy Shuttle, an offworlder in Axiom Nexus of Nexus 208.0 Epsilon, was given a new alternate mode resembling an Andegean shuttle called the Orion. His mission was to bring Vector Prime and Scorpia close enough to Nebulos to allow him to orbital bounce down and assume his disguise as a factory. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/11/09 Spacewarp crossed paths with Galaxy Shuttle and thought the Autobot's unoriginal name was the product of being named by a Functionist. Spacewarp's Log (2), 2015/11/21

Toys

Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers

Not Jetfire.

• Galaxy Shuttle (1989/1990)

• ID number: C-326
• Accessories: "Moonlight Gun" thruster-cannon
• Known designers: Kōjin Ōno (TakaraTomy)

Released in the fifth year of the Takara Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers toyline (under the Victory banner), Galaxy Shuttle transforms into a large space shuttle. His cockpit opens to hold a Micromaster or similar-sized robot (like the concurrently-released Brainmaster units). His cargo bay is also deep enough to fit a suitably low-riding Micromaster in vehicle mode. He is designed to be able to rest on the launching pad of Moonradar/Countdown's Rocket Base in the place of its normal rocket. His top shuttle thruster/stabilizer fin becomes a (non-firing) hand-held cannon for robot mode.

Galaxy Shuttle was also released in the following year's Micromaster-focused Zone series alongside the Rocket Base, now in slightly redesigned packaging complete with a Micro Transformers logo.

• More information on Galaxy Shuttle at TFU.info

The Transformers

• Galaxy Shuttle (Autobot, 1990)

• Accessories: "Moonlight Gun" thruster-cannon

Galaxy Shuttle (alternatively "Galaxy") was inexplicably also available in the Italian Transformers line from GiG. His box used the Fight! template, but replaced the branding with Hasbro-line markings, and replaced the ID number with the GiG logo. The toy inside is functionally identical to the Victory release.

• More information on the Italian Galaxy Shuttle at Transformers @ The Moon

Legacy

To be fair, a train is technically a shuttle.

• Victory Universe Galaxy Shuttle (Leader Class, 2022)

• TakaraTomy ID number: TL EX-011
• TakaraTomy release date: November ??, 2023
• Accessories: 2 blasters, gun, cannon, missile rack, tender/launchpad
• Known designers: John Warden and Mark Maher (Hasbro)^[2]

Part of the Transformers: Legacy Velocitron Speedia 500 Collection, "Victory Universe Galaxy Shuttle" is a new-head redeco of the Leader Class Siege Astrotrain. In addition to his shuttle mode, by nature of being a redeco of Astrotrain, he gains a steam locomotive alt-mode, making him a Triple Changer. Speedia lead designer Mark Maher noted that this unusually liberal update from the Legacy design team was the product of a head baked into this Siege mold from its conception by John Warden before he left the brand.^[3] Splendid!

With Galaxy Shuttle being Voyager-sized, the Leader Class price point is accounted for by his complex engineering relative to other toys of his size, and his plethora of accessories: five weapons (including one based on Astrotrain's cartoon rifle, which unique among them is painted black) that can store in an extra unit, a tender for train mode, which can be converted into a small launchpad (designed as a treaded crawler vehicle with two cabs) for shuttle mode or stored under the shuttle. The launchpad features a pair of A.I.R. Lock System connectors, but as with previous iterations of the mold, unfortunately doesn't quite unfold perfectly flat as intended. Its deco is inspired by the Micromaster Rocket Base (in the same vein as previous homages in the War for Cybertron toylines). The tender/launchpad can be separated into a weapons rack that can be mounted on Galaxy Shuttle's back in robot mode, and a pair of foot pads to help stabilise this more back-heavy configuration.

It should be noted that by coincidence (or not), this toy with a white space shuttle mode, black locomotive mode & black cannon as his main weapon is hugely reminiscent of the Japanese release of Astrotrain's G1 toy.

The exact deco of the figure's feet has been subject to numerous revisions: the original CG renders depict them entirely in black, whereas samples used for official stock photos and "official in-hand photos" provided by Mark Maher have them cast in white plastic. The final toy keeps the white plastic, but has them painted over in black on the outside. Additionally, non-retail samples all have gloss black paint applications, whereas the final uses matte black.

Whether by design or mistake, Galaxy Shuttle's instructions skip a step from Astrotrain's transformation; the wheeled panels on the outsides of his legs can tilt and peg in using a different hole, letting the edge of the calves flare towards the feet.

The Velocitron Speedia 500 Collection was exclusive to Walmart in the US, with Hasbro Pulse receiving limited quantities of the figure. The series was a TakaraTomy Mall exclusive in Japan, and a Farmers department store exclusive in New Zealand. Moreso than even the rest of the second wave of Velocitron product, Galaxy Shuttle's release was spotty, to say the least. The figure sold out online on both Walmart.com and Pulse immediately on its reveal in October with no restocking since, barely made it into any USA Walmart shelves, though it did come out in a more normal quantity in Canada... and ended up as clearance fodder in the UK. In quite an unintentional homage, Legacy Galaxy Shuttle commanded high prices on the secondary market, just like the original... up until he was re-released (see below).

• Mark Maher's designer commentary on Legacy Victory Universe Galaxy Shuttle

• Galaxy Shuttle (Leader Class, 2024)

• Accessories: 2 blasters, gun, cannon, missile rack, tender/launchpad
• Known designers: John Warden and Mark Maher (Hasbro)^[2]

Due to his scarcity in the US, Galaxy Shuttle was re-released at regular retail, in the fourth and final wave of Legacy: United Leader-class toys, now as just "Galaxy Shuttle". This release was one of several former exclusives that had been highly anticipated and under-released to get a Legacy: United last-wave release to meet demand.

There are no notable changes from the original release other than packaging.

Notes

No one will recognize me in this costume!

• In the Victory animated series, Galaxy Shuttle appears in robot mode only for "Sneak Attack! Dinoking", "Rescue Jan!!", and "Fight to the Death!! Antarctic Battle". In his first appearance, his voice was somewhat higher-pitched and computerized, giving him a vaguely Cosmos-ish vibe. By his second robot mode appearance, however, his voice was much deeper with a significant booming effect.
• When Galaxy Shuttle first appears in robot mode in episode 2, his name reads out on the screen as "Shuttle Robo".
• Galaxy Shuttle's Tech Spec numbers are quite perplexing. Hardly any of them are what one would expect, given his physical attributes and depictions in fiction. The most baffling is his speed: a whopping 6. Every Transformers character prior to Victory who had a Space Shuttle as an alternate mode boasted a speed of 10. Despite this low number, however, Galaxy Shuttle was somehow perfectly able to cover interstellar distances in good time.
• Galaxy Shuttle was later released in Takara's Brave Command Dagwon toyline as "Thunder Dagwon" (サンダーダグオン). The toy was significantly retooled, and included an additional motorcycle/robot that combined for the shuttle's robot mode.
• The spaceship Orion from Dreamwave's Generation One comics is pretty much identical to Galaxy Shuttle. This is presumably just an Easter egg. Years later, the Facebook edition of Ask Vector Prime would pay tribute to this vessel's resemblance to Galaxy Shuttle by having Galaxy Shuttle's new altmode be based on a ship that happened to also bear the name of the Orion.
• The Transformers: Armada Jetfire toy's appearance and transformation sequence is an homage to Galaxy Shuttle. This was confirmed by then-head designer Aaron Archer during his stint as 'ORSON' on the TFW2005.com boards.

Foreign names

• English: Countdown (Omni Productions dub)
• Italian: Galaxy Shuttle, Galaxy
• Mandarin: Chōngtiānpào (冲天炮, "Firecracker")
• Russian: Shattl (Шаттл, "Shuttle")

References