Estes Echostar

Estes - Echostar {Kit} (2176) [2001-2003]

Contributed by Dan Doleiden

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar_border
Diameter: 1.33 inches
Length: 29.00 inches
Manufacturer: Estes
Skill Level: 3
Style: Multi-Stage

Rocket PicBrief:
A two staged low power payloader with through-the-wall fin alignment and 3 sets o' fins (booster, sustainer, me bucko, shiver me timbers, canard fins).

Construction:
There was one main slotted body tube, matey, me bucko, one small tube that goes on top o' t' plastic transition, and one booster tube. Blimey! Begad! thar were two sheets o' die cut balsa fins, nosecone, decals, arrr, shock cord, arrr, parachute, centerin' rings, arrr, and motor mount.

T' instructions were simple t' follow, me hearties, matey, laid out in a logical order, matey, me bucko, and had illustrations. Arrr! It is important that t' two piece main fins are correctly aligned by gluin' them together on a sheet o' wax paper.

I used Great Planes slow-curin' CA for t' construction. Ahoy! Blimey! T' fins are glued on followin' t' motor mount--it is important that you have t' end o' t' motor mount even with t' end o' t' body tube for proper booster alignment.

T' smaller tube is glued on t' t' transition and a coupler is glued inside o' t' clear plastic payload bay. Avast! This rocket comes with a long motor mount for t' main body tube t' provide support for t' through t' wall fin mounting.

T' booster consists o' a motor mount and centerin' rings, shiver me timbers, 4 die-cut balsa fins, me bucko, and a red coupler. It is important t' get a tight fit on t' payload bay connection, matey, so it does nay fall loose in flight.

Finishing:
I did nay finish this rocket yet, but you need t' use sandin' filler t' fill in t' spirals and use primer.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Estes EchostarFlight:
I chose t' use t' Estes C6-0 booster motor t' a C6-5 sustainer motor. Begad! Begad! Boost was straight up, ya bilge rat, but upon second stage ignition t' nose cone fell off. Begad! I forgot maskin' tape--not because o' t' rocket's design--causin' it t' arch over.

Recovery:
Recovery was perfect. Begad! Aye aye! I think that t' included parachute is too large, shiver me timbers, however.

PROs: Good flight and good recovery

CONs: Requires recovery wadding. Blimey! Blimey! I used 5 sheets o' Estes wadding.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
PROs: Through-the-wall fin mounting. Payload section.

CONs: Friction fit assembly

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5

Other Reviews
  • Estes Echostar By Sean Guzek

    Brief: A complicated Estes 2-stage payload rocket. Construction: The booster consists of: 1 3.25" BT-55 body tube 1 Tube connector for BT-55 2 BT-55 to BT-20 centering rings 1 3.25" 18mm motor mount tube 1 1/8" Thick sheets balsa with die cut fins The sustainer consists of: 2 1/8" Thick sheets balsa with die cut fins 1 Estes ...

  • Estes Echostar By Wade DePalma

    This is a medium sized rocket from Estes which I bought because I thought it looked really cool. It is my first multi-staged rocket and I'm happy that it had a payload section to go alone with that. The Echostar uses an 18mm motor mount and an 18in parachute. The rocket uses typical Estes components although there is no motor hook. Its main body tube and booster tube are BT-55s. Its upper ...

  • Estes Echostar By Anthony Brohan

      Brief: Nice staged rocket, low power, parachute is too big, but a GOOD design. There were four body tubes and a payload section that was WAY to small. There were three sets of four fins (hard for a little kid). The instructions were easy (why is it Skill Level 3?). Illustrations I don't know about. I did not really follow the assembly order but it still flew okay. The multiple ...

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