On Sept. 9, 1982, the first private rocket launched from a Texas cattle ranch.<br /><br />The Conestoga 1 rocket was designed by Space Services Inc. of America and built from spare parts of other rockets. It was named after a type of covered wagon that used to transport American settlers westward to the new frontier during the 19th century. The 36-foot rocket lifted off from a private launch facility on Matagorda Island, Texas and flew for 10 and a half minutes. It reached an altitude of 195 miles and became the first privately funded rocket to reach space.<br />The only payload on board was 40 gallons of water, which didn't serve much scientific purpose, but it was ejected from the spacecraft at peak altitude to serve as a visual marker so ground crews could watch.
