RocketReviews.com - Estes - X-Prize SpaceShipOne

Brief:
After many months with breathless anticipation, the Estes SpaceShipOne finally arrived. This kit is a 1/30th sport-scale kit based on a BT-200 tube, which is 2" in diameter. This was the first time I noticed the SS1 being attributed to Mojave Aerospace Ventures vs. Scaled Composites. There are some issues for the scale fans out there. For instance, if you look at the rear nozzle, it looks like the test flight configuration, however, the markings appear to be those on the final X-Prize flight. Still, the resulting kit looks pretty sweet and I'm really glad Estes got it out.

Recommended supplies for construction: scissors, pencil, ruler, sandpaper, carpenter's glue, tube-type plastic cement, modeling knife, razor saw, masking tape, white primer, white and red spray paint, and (optional) gloss coat.

The first step is to assemble the motor mount. This is a typical build and consists of the BT-20 motor mount, two centering rings, an engine hook, a Mylar retainer for the hook, and a motor block. I used carpenter's glue as recommended. Be careful when attaching the centering rings as they are oblong and have to be aligned properly.

Next, I removed and sanded the fins then filled them with Elmer's Fill 'n' Finish. It was nice having the laser cut fins for this model since the various fin components are aligned via slots cut in the long vertical fins. These precise cuts really help ensure the proper alignment of these parts. However, the cuts were not all the way through the balsa and the bottom side must be cut with a hobby knife. The most challenging aspect of the fins is that the root edge has to be beveled 60 degrees. A reference guide is provided, but I found it challenging to get the angle right along the length of the fin. A slicker modeler would no doubt have or come up with a jig to simplify this step.

I attached all the fins with Aileen's Tacky Glue starting with the side fins, then the long vertical fins, and finally the side fins. I am glad Estes provided the wing assembly fixture, however, with a tad more cardboard they could have provided one that actually supports the wings. This would not be a cost driver. I had thought the fins were set, when I decided to go up to bed. This was a mistake as the fins sagged a bit by morning.

The tail cone is capped on both ends and thus must be trimmed using a razor saw. The instructions say to use plastic cement to glue the mount into the tail cone, but I substituted Gorilla Glue (sparingly) in its place. Before installation in the main body tube, I epoxied a two-foot section of Kevlar® twine onto the mount through the top ring. I also attached the tail cone to the body tube using 5-minute epoxy in place of the recommended plastic glue.

The final touches included the launch lug, adding the clay nose weight, and tying the Kevlar® to the rubber band and the latter to the nose cone.

Finishing:
Finishing was typical: fill, prime, paint, add decals, cover with a clear coat, etc. For this model, this process was a mistake! My usual finishing techniques moved the CG about 1/2" aft, which is not a good thing on this rocket. More about this later.

The model is mostly white with red trim on the leading edge of the fins and the bottom tip of the nose cone. There isn't guidance on the exact color or the location of the red areas, so a scale aficionado will want to do some research here. Personally, I eyeballed it using the picture on the package and my cardstock SSI model. I also opted for brush on paint vs. the recommended red spray paint.

The decals are self-adhesive and the material seemed fine. However, the precision of the cuts was so-so. For example, some of the star pattern seemed to be missed when the patterns were cut. A bottom view of the model would have helped in positioning the decals. To end on a positive note, I am glad the decals were peel and stick instead of waterslide. I undoubtedly would have ruined a couple had they been the latter.

I think the resulting kit looks nice, but even though I am not a scale fanatic, it bugged be that there was a mismatch between the nozzle configuration and the markings and that there was not better guidance on how to position the decals. At first, I was going to really ding the kit based on the fact that finishing the fins using normal techniques can make the model unstable. However, anyone who has bought and flown the kit doesn't need my rating, and anyone who hasn't bought or built it now knows how to fix the problem. So, I decided to ignore stability issues.

Flight:
Now, back to the question of stability. There was much discussion about stability on The Rocketry Forum (do a search for SS1 stability). Rather than repeat lots of information here, I will just say that Estes now recommends adding an additional ½ oz of nose weight.

The recommended motors include the B4-2, B6-2, and C6-3. Due to the size and weight of the model, I opted for a C6-3. The instructions do say to launch with "little or no wind." When I launched it, the wind was about 5 mph. The model weather cocked a bit but not badly. The added weight did the trick even with my method of finishing the fins and the wind.

Recovery:
I used the stock chute and the model recovered without significant damage on soft, plowed ground. There were small stress cracks where the fins were attached to the plastic tail cone, but it is flyable as is. Maybe this is due to my use of Aileen's Tacky Glue? On the next flight, I think I'll use a larger chute.

Summary:
This is a unique kit and despite the scale issues, it looks pretty neat. I am happy to have it in my fleet. Nevertheless, Estes could have done a much better job in the scale details and in making it more flyable. They should have warnings on how to prep the balsa and include the proper nose weight. However, the news about he added nose weight came in time to save my model, so again I am happy.

Flight Log

Date	Rocket Name	Motor(s)	Altitude	Notes
2005-02-19	Eric Maglio's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Extreme weathercocking on this flight, the rocket went horizontal. I will add more noseweight.
2005-02-26	R. Christian's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-6	-	My first flight was fantastic and very text book...except for the rocket eating tree. Next weekend...
2005-03-06	Fred Shecter's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	I added the extra .50 ounce of clay for a total of 1 ounce. Perfect boost and it went WAY higher...
2005-03-06	Fred Shecter's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	B6-2	-	I added the extra .5 ounce of clay per Estes direction (via telephone and e-mail). I'm the r.m.r....
2005-03-19	Dick Stafford's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Nice flight with some weather cocking. About 1/2 of extra nose weight did the trick.
2005-03-29	Donald Besaw's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Added the sugguested nose weight. Beautiful first flight, very straight boost, very little...
2005-04-16	Dick Stafford's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Great swooping flight
2005-04-19	Warren Evans's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Great flyer, Its now one of my Favorite Low Power rockets I got
2005-06-25	Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Added extra nose weight per the discussion on RMR. Also decided to recover the model in 2...
2005-06-25	Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Duplicate of first flight.
2005-06-26	Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Another great flight.
2005-07-09	Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Perfectly straight flight on a calm day.
2005-07-16	Mike Kiss's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Nice flight to about 350 ft, ejection right at apogee, chute tangled and rocket came down hard and...
2005-08-28	Mark Thompson's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	B4-4	-	Low power first flight nearly put it in the trees. SS1 Arched immediately off the pad to an...
2005-10-03	Donald Besaw's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Very nice flight, nice straight boost. Landed close to pad. No damage.
2005-10-15	Dick Stafford's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Despite previous successful flights (it had the extra nose weight), it went up about 15 feet and...
2005-10-22	James Reyome's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	B6-4	-	Flew great even in a gusty wind. Weathercocked, but seemed to roll till its wings were level...
2005-10-22	James Reyome's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	B6-4	-	Another nifty roll to horizontal and a great flight. Used a Top Flight chute this time and a Nomex...
2005-10-22	Warren Evans's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-5	-	It was all over the place but still a good flight
2005-11-05	Edward Chess's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	B4-2	-	Had not read the warnings about the need for extra nose weight. The ship cleared the launch rod,...
2005-11-11	Donald Besaw's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Very nice flight and recovery, landed close by. No damage.
2005-11-20	Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Great flight!
2005-12-17	Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Good flight, diving into the wind.
2006-01-02	Jeff Lane's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Maiden flight. Gradual arc downwind with a slow barrel roll so recovery was a long walk. Used a 15...
2006-01-14	Jeff Lane's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Best flight I've ever seen with an SS!. The typical oddly angled-off trajectory at 100 ft was...
2006-02-19	Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Great flight.
2006-03-04	Edward Chess's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Added the extra 1 oz. nose weight, but it didn't help. Trajectory went horizontal and crashed...
2006-04-22	Jeff Lane's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Another beautiful flight. This is one of Estes' best kits.
2006-04-29	Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Model was flown when I wasn't looking. Guess it flew alright, since I found the 2 parts in the...
2006-05-20	Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	This model just doean't seem to mind the wind at all.
2006-05-21	Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Great flight, but broke one of the long fins upon landing.
2006-06-04	Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	First flight. Straight boost and nice close recovery.
2006-06-18	Richie Brunjes's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-5	-	flight #4 reefed 'chute , landed closer
2006-06-18	Richie Brunjes's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-5	-	flight #3 long walk again
2006-06-18	Richie Brunjes's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	B6-4	-	First flight , way underpowered
2006-06-18	Richie Brunjes's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-4	-	flight#2 real nice , slight spin , long walk
2006-06-24	Scott Turnbull's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Arcing stable boost. Good eject. Treed over a river. Dislodged, baptised, and retrieved.
2006-06-27	Richie Brunjes's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Nice flight
2006-07-01	Scott Turnbull's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	A8-3	-	A late eject and low flight meant a hard knock before the chute could do it's job. A cracked fin...
2006-07-03	Andy Turits's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	A nice maident flight for this historically skittish kit. Straight boost to about 400 feet....
2006-07-08	Scott Turnbull's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	B6-2	-	Nice Boost. Well timed deploy. Snagged a line on a wing, speeding descent. Bellied in, snapped...
2006-07-08	Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Slight roll during boost. Perfect flight.
2006-07-23	Richie Brunjes's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Slight spin , but still a good flight
2006-07-29	Scott Turnbull's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Repaired (again)with stir stick stiffeners along the trailing wings, it arced over and flew...
2006-08-19	Clive Davis's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Boost was perfect for this monster. There was a slight roll the entire flight. Looked very...
2006-08-19	Clive Davis's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Another perfect boost and flight. Parachute came out exactly at apogee. The fins cracked away...
2006-09-09	Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Nice flight
2006-10-08	Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Beautiful straight flight
2006-11-18	Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Another perfect flight for this rocket.
2006-12-17	Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Great flight, except for cracking one of the long fins upon landing.
2006-12-25	Andy Turits's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	B6-4	-	Nice straight flight to about 200 but chute lines got a little snagged after ejection. Slowed SS1...
2006-12-30	Gerry Williams's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-5	-	MAIDEN FLIGHT: Accidentally assembled one side wing upside down, so didn't finish painting before...
2007-01-07	Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Weathercocked slightly but otherwise perfect flight.
2007-01-13	Mike Kiss's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Flew about the same horizontal into wind as vertical, good ejection right at apogee, landed about...
2007-02-24	Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Good flight.
2007-03-31	Scott Turnbull's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Ejection charge, but no chute. Severe chute melting. Snapped off one wing tip on the bounce. Not...
2007-04-14	Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-
2007-04-21	Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Another beautiful flight from this rocket.
2007-06-09	Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Parachute stripped off at ejection. Landed with no damage.
2007-06-24	Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Another perfect flight. Landed in irrigation ditch but missed the water and was fished out with...
2007-06-30	Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Nice flight. Long drift and landed in a tree. Retrieved from tree with no damage using recovery...
2007-10-06	Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Another perfect flight but broke a boom upon landing.. repairable
2007-12-15	Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Good flight, but broke off one of the fin assemblies upon landing. Should be easy to fix.
2008-02-17	Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Good flight.
2008-06-28	Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Typical good flight for this model.
2008-08-09	Bob Harrington's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	4 way Space Ship One drag race.. Only 3 launched and mine went straight up for a perfect flight.
2008-09-28	James Reyome's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Yikes! Stuck on the launch rod! Well, it was pretty, and the old motor lit just fine. It did melt...
2008-09-28	James Reyome's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Much better. Zoomed up, arced to the north, popped just past apogee with that heavy nose down. A...
2008-11-02	David Sindel's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	First flight for my SS1 with 1 oz (4 butter pats) of nose weight. The parachute tangled, saving it...
2009-02-07	David Sindel's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Too large a chute got it stuck in a large tree. However, the elastic broke weeks later and it came...
2009-02-14	Duane Boldt's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Perfect motor for this rocket. This is a real cool rocket in flight.
2009-03-07	David Sindel's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	B6-2	-	Came down a hair fast and shattered a boom. Repaired.
2009-07-11	Jeff Lane's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Nice, typical flight.
2009-08-22	Duane Boldt's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Perfect flight for SpaceShipOne. Should have one at least a couple $Mil...
2009-08-23	Jim Bassham's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Never got more than 150ft off ground. Took off spinning downwind - wildly unpredictable rocket. ...
2009-08-23	Jim Bassham's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Horrible, spinning, mostly horizontal flight. Unstable and unpredictable rocket.
2009-10-10	David Sindel's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Arced waaaay over into the wind - max altitude was no more than 200 feet.
2010-02-20	Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Only 1 of 2 chutes opened, but no damage.
2011-03-20	Bob Bernatchez's Estes X-Prize SpaceShipOne	C6-3	-	Good flight

Estes - X-Prize SpaceShipOne

Flight Log

What You Can Do