History: Space Services, Inc. of America

In 1982, Space Services Inc. of America (SSI) – under the direction of Mercury 7 astronaut Donald K. “Deke” Slayton – made history as the first private enterprise to launch a rocket into outer space: Conestoga 1. SSI, under the direction of founder David Hannah, Jr., established the basis for today’s commercial space industry.

SSI was the first company to:

• Sign an agreement with NASA for the use of a national launch range – Wallops Island, VA;
• Receive a contract from NASA for the provision of commercial launch services – Consort 1/Starfire;
• Develop a commercial land remote sensing venture – Space America; and,
• File an application with the Federal Communications Commission for a low earth orbit communications satellite constellation – Globesat Express.

In 2001, David Hannah, Jr. was recognized by the Space Business Archives for his contributions to the development of space commerce.

Launch of Conestoga 1, September 9, 1982