The Estes line of flying model rockets have inspired an untold number of children and adults alike, thanks in part to their simplicity. From the design and construction of the rockets themselves to the reliability and safety of the modular solid-propellant motors, the company managed to turn actual rocket science into a family activity. If you could glue fins onto a cardboard tube and stick a plastic nosecone on the end, you were nearly ready for launch.
But what if you’re looking for something a bit more challenging? That’s where the new Estes Scorpio 3D comes in. Unlike the classic Estes kit, which included the fins, nosecone, and other miscellaneous bits of the rocket, the Scorpio kit requires you to 3D print your own parts. Do it right, and the company says you can send your creation to heights of 1,000 feet (305 m).
As several main components of the rocket are 3D printed, the Scorpio is intended to be a platform for fast and easy modification. Estes already provides STLs for a few different variants of the tail fins — this is not unlike some of the old kits, which would occasionally include different shaped fins for you to experiment with. But of course you’re also free to design your own components from scratch if you wish. A twist-lock mechanism built into the printed motor mount allows you to swap out the Scorpio’s fins in the field, no glue required.
While we appreciate the concept of the Scorpio 3D, we have to admit that the $40 USD price tag seems a bit excessive. After all, the user is expected to print the majority of the rocket’s parts on their own dime. According to the manual, the only thing you get with the kit (other than access to the digital files) is a couple of cardboard tubes, some stickers, and a parachute — the launch pad, igniter, and even motors are all sold separately.
Admittedly there’s a certain value in the Estes name and the knowledge that they’ve done their homework while putting this product together. But if you’re just looking to fire off some DIY rockets, we’d point you to the open source HEXA project as an alternative.
Yeah, for $40, I can get the gubbins they’re offering and model my own rocket bits, honestly.
Though, now I might have a weekend project, so hats off to Estes for the idea, I guess?
Which begs the question… why would we give Estes $40 for this “kit”? For a couple of cardboard tubes and a piece of plastic (the parachute)? Yeah, I don’t think so.
Estes was great when they were an affordable entry point for kids into model rocketry. I have many of their kits in my collection. At a certain point, though, most of us branched out and begin deigning our own.
Yes, so that get get lost up in a tree, or float down a river.
Just a thought, but plastic shrapnel is considerably more dangerous should explosion happen than a cardboard tube with balsa fins…
Seems like they’re asking people to pay full price for the groceries, and ring them up and bag them as well! And here I thought they’d be making money on the obvious consumables. Good for them for having the gall to ask, but I fully expect it to be a miserable business failure, considering the literal scores of rocket designs on thingiverse, the ready availability of cardboard tubes, and none of them are making money selling engines!