Conestoga (rocket)

Conestoga originally consisted of surplus LGM-30 Minuteman stages with additional strap-on boosters, as required for larger payloads.

SSIA conducted an engine test firing of the Percheron on Matagorda Island on August 5, 1981, but the rocket exploded due to a malfunction.

[5] The first launch of the new Conestoga 1 design took place on 9 Sep 1982,[5] consisting of the core missile stage and a 500 kg dummy payload which included 40 gallons of water.

Mission duration for the COMET would be longer than for existing sounding rockets, and the orbital portion would be free-flight and not disturbed by crew movement as it was on the Space Shuttle.

The satellite included a recoverable section that was to separate on command after several weeks in orbit, fire a small internal retro-motor, and descend for recovery off the Virginia coast.

[9] The launch of Conestoga 1620 took place from a clamshell gantry, which included power and environmental control, at the south end of Wallops Flight Facility pad 0A on 23 October 1995.