Hahaha I had one of those Estes shuttle kits, too. I had 4 launches and then 1 spectacular crash into a roof top, oops! I think a gust of wind pushed it to go sideways and it then "flew" horizontal (while banking of course) and smashed into a gable rooftop about 50 yards away. I want to say I was 11 at the time.
Nice. Coolest rocket I've seen. I've seen some good launches but never saw main fuel separation along with both main booster seperation. And then to top it off a nice glide pattern. Well done
i had a simular very expensive model of the space shuttle . as it turns out mine was the challenger as it exploded in a blaze of glory during a night launch .
hello, that was the most impressive model rocketry ive seen in all my years of playing with estes rockets great job you need to sell the plans . long hours and planing can pay off! bigdog out!
Very nicely done, 👍 Even after it cleared the launch rod & got some altitude it turned just like the 1:1.. Spectacular Done.... A scratch build or kit? If rather way would like to build one my self.
I wonder if a gyro connected to the elevons and rudder of the shuttle will help stabilize it enough to where you can remove the fins from the external tank.
Hi Cloud, this is an interesting topic. This possibility has been evaluated , but placed on hold. For what I know model rocket active stabilization (not professional) is still a green field. The difference with normal RC aircraft is that we have a huge speed variations in very short time. The correction to deviations needs to be speed calibrated to avoid overcontrol/undercontrol situations. This is not available today. It can be a future challenge. I started a project about, but not for a complex (and unstable) aerodynamics like we have in the Shuttle. Once tested and proved to work, why not! ;-)
Hey so I'm doing a science fair project and I really want to do this. This looks totally amazing! So can you maybe comment the most important materials please?
Hi Watter. It is scratch built. I have designed all the parts. I started from original shuttle scale drawings. I took some technical solution from the Estes kit 1284 I built years ( too many) ago. It uses a different aerodynamics. But it is a nice built.
But I have doubts... I don't mean to be a party pooper but are things like these really necessary? Shouldn't we try to reduce Carbon Dioxide? (I'm assuming this releases gas)
Hi PJ, The model uses the traditional pyrotechnic parachute ejection system of Estes model rockets. Both boosters and tank have his own parachute. In the video you clearly see the ejections.
Hi Nat, I use 5 D9 Klima on 1st stage, 2 in the boosters (1 each) 3 into ET. Second stage 3 C6 Klima. In Us I don't think Klima motors are available. But this model can fly with 5-D12 and 3 c6 or 3 D12. I designed the model for D12 , but when Klima D9 was made available in the market, I converted immediately. D9 is 18mm it weight 50% of a D12 Estes but it has a full 20Ns impulse!
