Miguel Guerrero, The Final Guardian of the Condor

Paper number

IAC-24,E4,IP,1,x85946

Author

Dr. Pablo de León, Department of Space Studies, University of North Dakota, United States

Coauthor

Ms. Victoria Guerrero, Argentina

Year

2024

Abstract

The cancellation of the Condor II program marks a pivotal moment in Argentine rocketry history, reflecting the complex interplay of domestic and international politics. Initiated as a dual-use missile/satellite launcher project, Condor II represented Argentina's ambitious foray into solid-propellant rocket technology, building upon the foundations laid by the Condor I program in the 1980s. Spearheading this endeavor was Argentine Air Force Commodore Miguel Guerrero, a distinguished engineer with a Master's in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT, renowned for his expertise in missile guidance and control.
Guerrero's career trajectory, from his early days in radar systems at the Argentine Air Force Academy to his stint at MIT under Dr. Charles Draper, reflects his commitment to advancing Argentina's capabilities in aerospace technology. Upon his return, Guerrero played a pivotal role in establishing the Instrumentation Laboratory within the National Commission for Space Research (CNIE) in 1980, laying the groundwork for indigenous satellite projects.
Assuming leadership of the San Miguel Space Center in 1985, Guerrero oversaw the final stage of the development of the Condor II program, cementing his position as head of the CNIE. However, by the 1990s, shifting political landscapes, coupled with external pressures from the US, UK, and Israel, led to the program's cancellation, casting Guerrero into the center of a contentious debate. Viewed as a patriot by some and a controversial military figure by others, Guerrero's legacy is intertwined with the complexities of Argentina's space ambitions and the geopolitical realities of the time.

Abstract document

IAC-24,E4,IP,1,x85946.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-24,E4,IP,1,x85946.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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