Model Rocket Launches

When scheduling allows for it, Pack 24 will on occasion arrange an optional event to launch model rockets with our friends from the Northern Illinois Rocket Association (NIRA). NIRA is a club of rocket enthusiasts who launch every month and enjoy helping young scouts discover this hobby.

ROCKET BUILDING 101

For those who have not launched before, here are some tips of the trade...

Basic Supplies

NIRA will provide the launch pads, ignition controls, public address system, property reservations, and some guidance. Scouts need to provide their own fully assembled rockets and engines.

Rocket Types

• Larger rockets (12-18 inches or longer) can usually be recovered and re-launched several times on the same day. Small rockets are very hard to locate and usually impossible to recover. They will be launched once and lost. For this reason, we recommend buying and building a medium or larger rocket.  

• Each rocket model will indicate what skill level is required to build the rocket and what type of engines are used.  

• A skill level 0 requires minimal assembly. The fin can is molded out of plastic and requires no alignment or gluing. The fin can is just glued to the body tube. A good example of this is the Estes Alpha III kit.

• A skill level 1 kit requires the balsa fins to be glued to the body tube using Elmer's glue. Extra skill is needed to locate and orient the fins properly on the body tube and hold them while glue dries. A good example of this is the Estes Wizard kit. Many of the skill level 1 kits could use a little spray paint or permanent markers to add a little color to the finished product.

• Single stage rockets are recommended for beginners.  

• Estes is the most popular model rocket manufacturer and offers a variety of designs with kits for all different skill levels.

• Prices range from $15 to $30 for medium to larger rocket kits. Engines typically cost around $10 for a pack of 3.  

• Save the packaging - the package from the rocket kit will tell you which engines to buy. Using the rocket’s recommended “1st flight” engines will provide for a lower launch and easier recovery. Those are the lowest powered engines that work with that rocket. The larger sized engines may launch the rocket out of visual range making recovery difficult, even for large rockets. Be sure to purchase the engines indicated for the specific rocket model.

Engines and Recovery Wadding

• Estes uses a letter and numbering system for the size of the engine. Engines must be purchased separately and brought to the launch.

• Recovery wadding is a small piece of treated paper/fabric that insulates the parachute system from engine’s heat so the rocket's parachute doesn’t melt during flight. (It looks a lot like fireproof toilet paper.) Recovery wadding is the same for all rockets, but larger rockets use several pieces for each launch.

• Each launch consumes one engine, and one or more pieces of recovery wadding (depending on rocket size). Rockets can be re-used, but new wadding and engines are needed for each launch.

Where to Purchase

You can typically purchase model rocket kits and supplies at the following retailers:

• Walmart, Hobby Lobby and Michael's sell model rockets and engines in some of their stores and/or online.

• Amazon sometimes has great prices, but other times prices may be inflated by re-sellers. Supplies on Amazon tend to run low in the spring as the weather improves.

• Estes also sells directly on its website: www.estesrockets.com