TAW@SU-AI@sri-unix (09/09/82)
From: Tom Wadlow <TAW at SU-AI>
a113 0900 09 Sep 82
PM-Private Rocket, 2nd Ld, a107,200
URGENT
Eds: Lead with 6 grafs with additional details and splashdown
By PAUL RECER
AP Aerospace Writer
MATAGORDA ISLAND, Texas (AP) - Conestoga 1 blasted off from this
isolated island today, becoming the first privately financed
spacecraft launched in the United States, and flew a 10 1/2-minute
mission exactly as planned before splashing down.
The gleaming white, 37-foot rocket was launched from a pasture into
a clear blue sky about 15 minutes behind schedule. It climbed
unhesitatingly to a suborbital altitude of 192 miles as 300 spectators
applauded.
The rocket arced over the Gulf, where a dummy payload separated and
spewed 400 pounds of water into the vacuum of space. The payload and
rocket splashed down 321 miles from the launch pad.
More than 100 reporters and about 200 guests - many of them
investors in Space Services Inc. of America - watched the launch and
burst into applause as it disappeared from view.
Donald K. ''Deke'' Slayton, a former astronaut who directed the
mission for Space Services, had said before the launch that weather
was the only problem facing the flight.
Thunderstorms threatened to interfere with the launch. SSI had said
the weather was expected to be clear between 10 a.m. and noon, and
the launch was scheduled during that weather ''window.''
''We did it, we did it!'' shouted one executive of SSI after the
10:15 a.m. launch. Company officials had called Conestoga ''the
future'' of their business and said it would help boost private
industry into space.
The guests and reporters had traveled by boat to the island before
dawn. Many of the guests arrived in a festive mood, dressed as for a
lawn party, and dined on shrimp and sandwiches as the countdown
proceeded.
The countdown for launch went almost precisely as planned, with only
a couple of brief holds when data communications were lost
momentarily.
Officials said the rocket performed as expected, establishing that
SSI is capable of organizing and controlling a rocket launch.
The rocket properly aligned itself for orbital injection, a maneuver
that will be essential when SSI attempts to put satellites into
space. This craft, however, was not designed to achieve orbit.
ap-ny-09-09 1216EDT
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