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Exploration Corps Universe The Exploration Corps universe consists of five fictional eras that range from the late 21st century to the 25th century. In this fictional environment, our galaxy has only a few sentient alien species with star-faring technology. The first era begins in the late 21st century with the formation of the international Interplanetary Exploration Corps. During the 22nd century, a federation of democratic continental governments emerge bringing world peace and prosperity. By the end of this century, faster-than-light vessels appear and the Interplanetary Exploration Corps becomes the Interstellar Exploration Corps. Over the next 150 years, the Human presence in local interstellar space expands. In the mid-24th century, major improvements in faster-than-light drive result in Human space exploration efforts ranging much deeperinto the galaxy.  The Interstellar Exploration Corps grows in size and capability to become the Galactic Exploration Corps. This fictional environment is inspired by the science fiction Arthur C. Clarke and Jack McDevitt. I consider it my most sober portrayal of Humanity equipped with maturing faster-than-light technology combined with equally maturing societal development. Concept The Endurance is the only spaceship design of mine that actually could be built given reasonable projections of current space-faring technology. I hope that the placing of this craft near the end of the 21st century proves to be a pessimistic speculation rather than an optimistic one. History Launched in 2092 AD, Spaceship Endurance was the first spaceship built for the Interplanetary Exploration Corps. This large exploration vessel was capable of traveling to all planets of our solar system. It was powered by nuclear fusion reactors supplemented by retractable solar panels for use in the inner solar system. For missions to the outer planets, the Endurance class vessel refuelled at depots located in the asteroid belt and orbiting the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. Typical travel times in the inner solar system were measured in weeks, those to Jupiter and Saturn in months, and those to the outermost planets in years. The Endurance class carried two kinds of smallcraft: 1) Sagan class landers for surveying of moons and asteroids as well as general cargo transport 2) Herschel class landers for longer-term exploration work on planetary bodies such as Mars and Mercury Primary Design Influences 1. Spaceship Discovery from the science-fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey 2. Spaceship Leonov from the science-fiction film 2010: The Year We Make Contact 3. Freighter Valley Forge and its robot drones from the science-fiction film Silent Running 4. Numerous speculative spacecraft designs from the 1950's.