[Not displaying correctly? View web version.] | Peak-of-Flight Newsletter #594: | I was going to title this week's article "How to build model rockets that fly straight and true." But when I was done writing, I discovered that I covered so many different methods of either increasing stability or preventing instability that I decided to change it. Most people think that there are only a few ways, like increasing the size of the fins, making the rocket longer, or adding nose weight. But in actuality, you have a lot of options that will allow you to get a rocket that flies straight. This is also an article that defines stability, so if you're new to rocketry, this will be a great starting point for understanding the basics. And if you're advanced, there are references at the end that will allow you to go deeper. | Read the rest of this week's article, either on a downloadable PDF for printing out, or on our website (great for viewing on your phone)! Previous issues of our newsletter are found at our archive page. |
Check out the latest products to hit Apogee's shelves! BT-60 Nose Cone and Transition | This is a combination product that includes a BT-60 (41.6mm) diameter nose cone and a 1.2" long transition section that fits the BT-60 tube as well as the BT-55 (33mm diameter) tube. You get both pieces for one low price. They come as a single piece, and you just snap them apart when you are ready to assemble your rocket. The 3-to-1 ogive shaped plastic nose cone is a perfect upgrade for your model rocket. With its sleek and aerodynamic design, this nose cone will improve your rocket's performance and take your launches to new heights. The included transition section smooths the airflow when your rocket changes from one diameter to another, which lowers the drag. But you can also trim off the shoulders to use it as a boattail or a simulated nozzle on the base of the rocket. |
Apogee Antares Explorer Kit | The Antares Explorer model rocket kit is the perfect combination of science fiction style and high-altitude performance. With its sleek and aerodynamic design, this rocket is capable of reaching impressive altitudes, yet still maintains a unique and eye-catching appearance with its bright decals, six fins, and asymmetric layout (where fins are not equally spaced around the rocket). It is sure to be a collector's item, so you might want to get two or three to put in your treasure chest. |
Estes Mercury Redstone Kit | The Mercury Redstone model rocket kit is a 1:34-size replica of the iconic rocket that was used in the early days of the American space program. Its significance is that it was the rocket that was used to launch the first and second American astronauts into space. That makes this kit perfect for those who are interested in model rocketry and the history of space exploration. The finished rocket stands nearly 29 inches tall and features laser-cut, layered balsa fins and a molded plastic model of Grissom’s Liberty Bell 7 and it’s Launch Escape System (LES). The set of detailed water-slide decals even includes the distinctive white “crack” that Gus painted onto the side of his spacecraft to make it resemble the actual Liberty Bell. More that just a historic replica from the early days of the American space program, this rocket kit from Estes has history in its own right too. This kit is a re-released but enhanced version of the model rocket that the company Centuri produced in the 1960's. Own a piece of history today! |
Quick Change Motor Mount Kits | Do you want to design your own rockets with a quick change motor mount system, like seen in the Quick Draw rocket (shown below)? We now have four different motor mount kits for BT-80 (or 2.6" diameter heavy wall tube) size rockets that you can swap out quickly. This will allow you to fly your design with a single 29mm, or as a cluster of 2, 3, or 4 rocket motors. You'll have the versatility that you've never before had. Imagine one rocket that you can change out motor mounts to fly any combination of motors you want. Check them out! | | |
| BT-60 Size - 2-stage Rocket Estes used to make a rocket called the LoadStar II. It had a BT-60 nose cone, and a plastic transition that necked down to a BT-55 tube. But it was discontinued. But now you can re-create the rocket and make it even better with the new BT-60 blow-mold nose cone and transition from Apogee Components. How cool is that? In this simulation, we're launching the Loadstar II rocket on an engine combination of C6-0 to a C6-5. The field of the launch site is fairly narrow, so we have to make a small tilt-angle adjustment to keep the rocket on the field. Is there anything else you'd change on the launch? You can download the RockSim file for the model here, so you can re-create the kit. |
Customer Testimonials: “I highly recommend Apogee for all your rocketry needs. Not only do they have great product selection but the amount of information available through their videos has taught me so much. Every order I have placed in the evening has been filled and shipped the next day and received within a few days. Apogee has made getting back into rocketry easy. I have gone from building small rockets to preparing to get my Level 1 and 2 certifications. Their kits are great. I have built the Flame Thrower, Quad Runner, Zephyr and Omega from them. All great kits. I have also built several small rockets from the plans they make available. The rewards program is outstanding. With their reward credits and cash back on my card its a double win. Its hard for me to look for my rocketry needs anywhere else as they have made earned my customer loyalty.” -- Louis Santoni | |
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I'm now actively seeking writers for articles to appear in this newsletter. And I want unique and cutting-edge articles because that is what you want to read, right? I realize this, so to get articles from outside writers that have the same level of quality, I'm going to have to pay a lot of cash to make it worth it for them. So I've come up with a compensation package where I'll pay up to $350 for good how-to articles. Are you a writer, and does that interest you? That is a lot of cash! Far more than you'll get by writing for other magazines. And with over 23,000 worldwide subscribers, if you write for the Peak-of-Flight Newsletter, you'll gain a lot of notoriety. Writing for the Peak-of-Flight Newsletter is a great way to show off your rocketry projects and your technical expertise, at the same time as helping out other rocketeers. Imagine how great you'll feel knowing that you made a difference to the hobby. If you're interested in writing, see the guidelines on our site. | |
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