Cosmonaut

The cosmonaut is the lunar campaign-only infantry unit for the Soviet Union and Yuri's army in Yuri's Revenge.
==Background==
Operation: To the Moon was executed with heavy consideration of the extreme conditions encountered there. The combination of low gravity (hindering the use of projectile weapons) and the nature of space (inertia effectively banning almost all of air potency) gave the commander a vastly reduced arsenal. Although most vehicles could be modified for operation, infantry could not (except for the already tightly sealed suits of Iraqi Desolators).
Cosmonauts were equipped with all the necessary life support equipment to survive outside Earth's atmosphere and a jet pack not unlike those used by Allied Rocketeers, which allowed them to travel very quickly, but also with a mechanism that allowed them to hold position and resist inertia. They were armed with a high-powered laser, making them very effective against other cosmonauts and light vehicles, as well as (in groups of five or more) armoured tanks, space craft and structures.
Curiously, the color of the beams with which Cosmonauts blasted their targets varied based on their commanding officer's current deployment color, not unlike that of Allied prism technology. It is possible that the weapons in the suits are indeed based off of such tech, as the Soviets were known to have acquired and experimented with it on at least one occasion.
The Soviet Commander was authorized to deploy them during the aforementioned operation, as a means to combat Yuri's forces stationed there. Yuri himself had a corps of Cosmonauts tasked with defending his Lunar HQ, likely derived from technology stolen from the Soviet Union when he deserted. Should more be needed, additional Cosmonauts could be trained from both commanders' Barracks.
==Game Unit==
As their appearance suggests, Cosmonauts are very similar to the Rocketeers deployed by the Allies. Aside from being normally untrainable, they have one other distinctive trait - their weapon, which is more of a laser beam than a standard gun. This laser has far more potency against vehicles and aircraft, and like Rocketeers, when massed they can turn virtually anything to dust.
Their main weakness was similarly weak armor and a tendency to group up, like all other aerial units. Ironically, Flak and Gatling Cannons (the AA weapons of the two factions who deployed them) were among the most effective counters, as Flak weapons could injure multiple Cosmonauts at once, and Gatling technology could easily burn through their small infantry-type health pool.
They are not available in any other campaign mission, but they can still be incorporated into any map via INI editing.
==Quotes==
===When selected===
*Gravity suit secured.
*Cosmonaut reporting.
*Gravity? What's that?
*Pressure gauges normal.
*Russian space ace!
===When moving===
*Rocket packs fully charged.
*Boosters engaged.
*Shifting thrusters!
*Fuel mix optimized.
*Light and fast.
===When ordered to attack===
*Tracking target.
*Beam intensity locked.
*Lasers at full power!
*Rid them from area![sic]
*Time for laser show![sic]
===When suppressed===
*We need more funding!
*It's hard to maneuver!
*Vacuum suit is failing!
*Fuel cells damaged!
===Upon death===
*Can't... breathe!
==Gallery==
RA2YRCosmonautCP.jpg|Concept art by Tom M. Baxa
RA2YRCosmonautCP2.jpg|Concept art by Tom M. Baxa
File:Cosmonaut_animation.gif|SHP sprite
===Cameos===
The unused English veteran cameo changes "Cosmonaut" to "Lunar rocketeer."
==Trivia==
* Cosmonauts' original name was Lunar Rocketeer, as seen in their unused veteran cameo. Their Chinese-localized name (登月火箭員) is a direct translation of that.
* When cosmonauts are killed, they fall down instantly instead of falling slowly, despite the Moon's low gravity.
* Like Rocketeers, they have grounded animations. When they are placed on a map, they start out standing on their feet, but when they move (such as when they exit the barracks), they become airborne. These animations are also able to be used by spies. They also have many frames replaced by an idle airborne frame.
*Aside from Prerequisites, TechLevel and weapon the Cosmonaut is identical to the Rocketeer. Even the JumpJet stats are the exact same.
==See also==
* Rocketeer, similar Allied flying infantry
Category:Yuri's Revenge infantry