After the destruction of the JX-1 Hayabusa, the government of Japan built another. Though essentially the JX-2 Ootori was nearly the exact same as it's older kin, a few modifications were placed in its radar and receiving equipment. After Operation North Pole began, the shuttle was shot into space to receive more data on Gorath. During their travel, they had made an astonishing discovery. As the star travel through the darkness, any objects that was in it's path, added to its size. Making the gravitational field arcing out further than calculated. This fact was almost discovered too late, but the JX-2 Ootori was able to avoid the fate of its brother ship.