Estes Star Orbiter Flying Model Rocket Kit

This is a great all around 29 mm mid-power rocket. Easy to assemble. I've done 3 of these now. Here's what I replaced from stock items in the kit - For extra strength and durability, I replaced the balsa fins with basswood plywood ( I made my own, just use the balsa fin as a template). Used an ejection charge baffle mid-point (for BT-60 tube) that also serves as the anchor point for the shock cord. This kit uses paper motor tube centering rings, but would be *better* with thick plywood centering rings which you can find by searching various rocket suppliers (Apogee, HobbyLinc, etc however they aren't available on Amazon). I use Titebond for the fins, it makes a great glue fillet. I use JB Weld epoxy for the motor tube mounting and the ejection charge baffle. I discovered by experience you definitely want a wider shock cord (paracord works well here) or it will zipper the tube (cuts a slot at top of tube due to tension on shock cord on recovery). Also, this kit lends itself to getting TWO of them and making the second one a BOOSTER for the first one. Just cut the slotted tube an inch after the fins, on the booster. For the booster, leave OFF the rear centering ring on main (sustainer) rocket. You'll put a tube coupler at the end of the booster and the entire unit will slide right into the engine tube of the main rocket. You can even safely install the engine retainer ring on Main rocket and booster coupler slides right over it just fine. This kit does not come with an engine block and you won't need it. Leave the 29mm motor tube unblocked. You can use a 24 to 29 mm adapter for D and E engines and use it direct for 29mm F engines. You'd use an F12-0 for the booster and any combination of D/E/F for sustainer (main rocket).You can do a LOT with this rocket, much more than meets the eye. It's a very cheap mid-power entry kit. Well worth the purchase. I use it on a 6' 1/4" rod and it goes like a bat outta hell.

Shipping was good boxed and all. But there was damage must have happened before shipping. Both tubes where somewhat bend (deformed) and almost to the point of a permanent crease, if it had been a crease I would have sent it back. Also one of the of fins was detached from cutout and snapped in half inside the original bag. I got a good price on the kit and I just looked at it as a extra challenge. It was a fun build and came out well, looking forward to spring to paint and fly it.

The Estes flying model rocket kit is great. This model rocket kit comes with almost everything you need instructions are clear and helpful. This kit comes with a parachute, decals, tubing, nose cone, launch nuts, and shock cords. Pros: it looks nice works well it flys high with an F motor about 1,200 ft G motor 2,000 ft and it is cheap. Cons: Not the most durable rocket on the market it doesn't come with glue a launch pad a launch controller engine or plugs or wadding. overall, it was a good set though and I will be buying it again in the future.

Fun, easy to build rocket. Don't recommend flying on a G motor, when I did it blew the fins off and teleported to 2000 ft. I suggest E and F motors. The slotted tube makes it so easy to insert the fins without requiring a fin jig. One bad thing is the tubes are very thin and easy to deform (but also makes it lightweight and fly high). Also it would probably be just fine with a 24mm inner tube instead of a 29mm but then again who doesn't love bigger motors. Love the color scheme.

No problems with the kit! Everything was in good condition. Fairly simple build. The fun is in modifying the build and trying new and better things.

Very easy to build good quality materials .make sure to have some 2 part epoxy . I modified mine with a homemade baffle and a black elastic shock cord . See pictures above

Other reviewers changed this rocket so much it’s not the star orbital anymore, you would have better off buying an AeroTech kit (which I would strongly recommend) but as for the Estes star orbital just know all Estes model rockets are different to build and they are very messy and you get glue everywhere. I added a booster on mine , I wasn’t impressed because I used black powder motors. I guess it’s a decent rocket.

This kit is a great transition from low to mid power. I’ve had two of them; the first one was a CATO on the F15-8. It was easily replaced free with engines from Estes, then modified to a shorter version. It’s replacement easily flys high on any E motor you like with a 29mm to 24mm conversation mount. I too did the fins in bass wood. All else was stock. It’s a great crowd pleaser. It’s my favorite rocket.