Space Services Inc.

The primary subsidiary company, Celestis is for space burials; other activities include operation of an unofficial 'star registry'.

Key to the design was a simple pressure-fed kerosene-oxidizer engine that was intended to reduce the costs associated with "throwing away" the booster.

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

Slayton had just left NASA after running (among earlier roles) the Space Shuttle Approach and Landing validation testing.

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