Founded in 1987 as one of a few launch providers based in Australia, Condor’s ‘Joey’ series of rockets undercut existing providers by recovering motors and engines, but leaving cheaper items such as fuel tanks behind. By taking advantage of Atlas’ cheap supply of hydrogen rocket fuel in the late 2020s and optimising for low-cost repairs, Condor was able to create a truly affordable launch platform. This, combined with a zero failure record, and robust manufacturing of modules, propelled Condor towards being the most reliable supplier in town, receiving the majority of contracts for the construction of Beacon I and Beacon II. This record was tested in 2037 during the ‘Guiding Light’ disaster, where a fuel leak on a Condor-built artificial gravity module led to the first loss of life in space for decades. As a result, Condor vowed to rebuild its image by removing off-the-shelf items from its designs entirely, so as to precisely control each component to their exacting standards.
By reusing valuable parts, and designing for low-cost inspection and repair, Condor’s rocketry platform is now considered as both a reliable and a cost-effective option for sending resources into orbit. Unlike Earhart’s SSTO Fleet, Condor is able to take advantage of their much larger payload capacity to launch complete modules rather than components. This reduces the amount of expensive orbital construction required and allows modules to be produced in a controlled environment to Condor’s exacting standards. However, Condor acknowledges that their once-stable platform is showing its age, with a majority of their payload now composed of space station components over the more traditional satellite launches of the past. This has led to the development of air-launch rocketry systems in collaboration with Da Vinci Airliners to further reduce cost. Alongside this, Condor has begun development of rocket-launch capabilities which will be primarily based off-world in response to the construction of fuel refinery facilities on the moon.
Following an investigation into the Guiding Light disaster, it was discovered that the loss of eight crewmembers had been caused by a fluid leak while testing Condor’s artificial gravity module. After further examination, it was discovered that a 0.05mm inaccuracy in the stated diameter of an off-the-shelf valve was the cause – a detail so small that no-one had thought to check. While the pundits assigned blame, Condor reasoned that if they had designed these components they would have picked the right size, and if they were making it, they would have done so correctly. As a result, Condor sought to define a best-in-class safety standard for themselves: committing to produce every single item in-house from that point forward, whether it be a bearing or a bolt. By meticulously controlling the quality of every item that passed through their hands, Condor was able to pre-emptively identify a dozen miniscule problems which had gone unnoticed by the Foundation Society, removing their potential risk. As a result, Condor was once again able to earn back the title of the ‘most reliable game in town’ and remains vigilant to make sure that it never loses it again.
This webpage refers to a fictional company which is part of the UK Space Design Competition. No information presented here or implied herefrom should be regarded as factual. Any similarities with real events, places, or persons are purely coincidental.