Launch Your First Rocket

If you need a suggestion on what rocket to get for your first launch, we recommend a starter set. This video will show you how easy it is to get a successful first launch. For more information, visit: www.ApogeeRockets.com

[@barillius]

I am almost 60 years old.. My 6th grade teacher, Mr. Miller, introduced us to Estes Model Rocketry in 1974... (the only thing that has changed since then in the engine plug, lol). Watching this I feel like I'm 12 yo again. Thank you.

[@apogeerockets]

Thanks for coming back. We've been missing you in rocketry. Go launch something!

[@karenheller1443]

Launched an Estes rocket with my sons yesterday and this video was so helpful. We did 5 total launches! Thank you for making this. Still useful even tho it's over a decade old.

[@apogeerockets]

Thank you Karen. I'm happy to hear it was successful launch for you and your sons. I know that rocketry will take them to a great career in the future, so kept them launching those rockets!

[@Darthbelal]

I did model rocketry in my late teen years, it's something I want to go back to. I just LIKE building and flying those things........

[@babygirl-oz3cg]

Me too!! I was so young that I don’t remember a thing except for that feeling when they would launch & then trying to find them lol. It was the coolest thing to me.

[@FranksModelAviationWorkshop]

I’m 53 years old, and I’m starting to get back into building and launching model rockets. My first build is vintage Estes Mean Machine. Man is that thing huge! Lol

[@themadscientest]

Now that you are older you could jump right in with a simple mid-power kit, although getting familiar with a low power kit is a good idea. Also Mach 1 Rockets makes a few fiberglass low power kits if you are up to using epoxy.

[@bobbyb9718]

@@FranksModelAviationWorkshop That thing was awesome.

[@zeeej710]

Thank you for the refresher on the basics. Got me nostalgic for my days in the boy scouts. I don't have kids of my own, but my friends do, and I want to share cool stuff like this with them.

[@TheSphongleface]

7:50 for launch!

[@cskillet2003]

I strapped one of these to my RC car. I highly recommend it.

[@rcexplorers24]

Lol

[@kerbodynamicx472]

Moar boosters!

[@hodgeknobbler9848]

Wait a minute...I just lit a rocket! Rockets explode!!!

[@janslosn3019]

This guy is at least 20 years ahead of north korea.

[@imirish4702]

+Jans Losn of course.. he was an engineer for NASA too..

[@samadkohi9166]

Hahaha

[@inex4431]

@Donald Trump Not cool, he really is cool though

[@inex4431]

@Benny Hill wtf I sense A 9 year old in presence

[@inex4431]

@Benny Hill I know :)

[@AtticusCougar]

I can remember launching one off every year with my dad back in my early childhood.

[@lynetteschroeter6843]

Nice launch into those beautiful Colorado skies! This state is the birthplace of model rocketry.

[@delilahbarber114]

i have one now I'm exited to launch it

[@dilipgowdan6846]

So how did the launch go?(I know it's been three years)

[@GangsterAlok]

How did the launch go?

[@ray_1111]

How’d the launch go?

[@bonnieplayz7949]

The reply ain't replying but we up

[@pheenix42]

First ones I launched of my own were from the little launcher you fastened to the top of a lantern battery. Moved from that to the Estes Porta-Pad before they started putting the silly lightning bolts in the legs. Even used Polaroid film pack batteries a few times...and then life intervened. Here I am nearly 40 years later, and I'm very pleased to see that the hobby not only has survived, it's gone into some marvelous new territory as well with the advent of high power and amateur rocketry.

[@WhyJustWhy-oe9dz]

Cool, I'm also getting started. You seem experienced, so I was wondering if you knew how to find a good site to launch rockets and if I need special permission. I live in California by the way.

[@pheenix42]

@@WhyJustWhy-oe9dz Look for large open areas like a public park, or a football field or soccer field if you can get access to them for anything likely to go to 800 ft. up or less. Fewer trees around, the better. If you're out in the country, see if a local farmer will let you use his unplanted field to use--that's what I did a bunch of times. You shouldn't have to get any special permissions unless you're building your own rocket motors, then of course the local government will have something to say. Do a bit of online research to find out more.

[@WhyJustWhy-oe9dz]

@@pheenix42 thank you!

[@WhyJustWhy-oe9dz]

@@pheenix42 so what would I need to do if I'm using my own motors?

[@pheenix42]

@@WhyJustWhy-oe9dz Check a web page called www.tripoli.org. Or, www.nar.org. These organizations should have any info you need.

[@miked-se6ti]

I use to have a model rockets when I was a kid, and like most kids other things started to fascinate me. Anyway. I am buying my kid one for Christmas. Thanks for some of the pointers. It has been a while.

[@apogeerockets]

No problem, thanks for watching.

[@GBLynden]

That was a helpful video. Thank you!

[@apogeerockets]

We fly all the rockets that we sell at ApogeeRockets

[@vijithasanoj5335]

Wow nice

[@photomaninc]

Great job with the nuts-and-bolts presentation. To the point and concise.

[@sidefx996]

Thank you for this. Exactly what I was looking for.

[@billydarley6925]

i must've used the wrong engine. mine didnt came back down and that was years ago.

[@ghettobrown209]

jo schmo aliens took it

[@billydarley6925]

DankTech XD maybe it flew up ones ass lol

[@Johnmasterson5600]

Billy Darley and still haven’t seen the rocket to Mars

[@GeneralMartinus]

Whatever came stock with the rocket is fine. 2-3 times the length of the rocket itself is ideal. In larger rockets, the longer the better as it prevents zippering the edge of the body tube. Also the extra length helps absorb the inertia of the ejection.

[@josephmccants9365]

Great tutorial. I love rockets, and so will you. Take upon the hobby and see for yourself!

[@dentonsbackyardshow1013]

I just got 1 from hobby lobby starter kit .love it 🇺🇸

[@bob-xm7ny]

14 years later, I appreciate the information. Thanks!

[@scottgeorge4760]

Very informative , we did this in junior high school :)

[@courtneycurtis]

Thank you! Very helpful.

[@apogeerockets]

No Problem. :-)

[@geraldscott4302]

I sprinkle baby powder on both sides of the parachute to keep it from sticking to itself. For light rockets I also cut a 2" diameter hole in the center of the parachute to bring it down faster, and help prevent it from drifting away. I use a snap swivel to attach the parachute lines and shock cord to the nose cone, to help prevent tangling. For more powerful engines, lice a C, if a C6-5 is recommended, I use a C6-7. That lets the rocket fall a couple of seconds more before the parachute opens, again bringing it down faster.

[@apogeerockets]

those are all great suggestions. Thanks for contributing.

[@DomainDuSac]

Very helpful video, thanks!

[@alexweinstein6417]

Nice video. It was my favorite hobby.

[@andrewk2000]

Thanks a lot for your help it's been since I was about 12:00 since I've done this and I couldn't remember with my son so thank you

[@slugo7649]

Than you very helpful. Nice landscape too. Built my first model rocket. Maybe building a large one..

[@dabunnisher29]

Really informative. Thank you.

[@poppetrurazvan3900]

Wonderfull, Thank You!

[@KS-nq8vo]

Great video thanks.

[@cmgreer1molly]

Great video. Thanks so much

[@apogeerockets]

No problem :-)

[@kristophergregory6336]

whey want my rokit lanching

[@GeneralMartinus]

No changes made! Apogee is actually a dealer of Estes merch. You can go to their store and buy a lot of the estes line there. Apogee is kinda like the one stop website, they have items from a LOT of brands even those you may not of heard of.

[@stemmentor9700]

I never had luck with that paper wadding as a kid. Used twice and both times, ended up with melted chute. Followed instructions to T. I found grabbing insulation (fiberglass Bataan) from attic was cheaper, flame retardant and ample supply. Also used talc powder for smaller tubes vice buying the “. chute powder”. Worked great and helped with tracking at higher altitudes with nice puff Of smoke. Most of my kits were Centuri. Sure do miss them. Most are lost in trees somewhere (40 plus years later) 😕

[@apogeerockets]

I would NOT use fiberglass batten. It is not biodegradable, and it might be ingested by cattle or other animals. You can use the cellulose insulation. That is excellent wadding replacement. It is just recycled newspaper that has been treated with flame retardants. It will degrade and turn into mulch, so you don't have to worry your littering in the environment.

[@neilmorgan6734]

Baby Powder On Toilet Paper For Wadding... Put Baby Powder all over The Chute ... Use Bread Wrap Wires For Ignighters after you stripped the paper off. ... I have been an Estes Rocketeer since 1968.

[@DeborahKDavis-wb7ps]

Neil Morgan

[@nathanstraccia6986]

Neil Morgan you can use bread tye.wire

[@nathanstraccia6986]

Never new.that

[@neilmorgan6734]

@@nathanstraccia6986 Yes

[@texaszygote7956]

Reminds me of 6th grade and we did rockets at school. I intentionally packed my parachute so that it wouldn't deploy and the rocket would be destroyed. I still don't know why.

[@packersprik]

Excellent video.

[@Reapprsr1]

Awesome. Good Instruction! ...I also like how the operating table appears (in vid) for the flight prep. Be careful out there, and ask spectators to keep a long eye on the in-flight rocket (especially if it's windy) because it is hard to replace a good, well-built rocket gone downwind too far!

[@shinkakitsune]

thank you from a AFJROTC rocketry commander

[@ilove3dsomuch]

Thanks A lot

[@michaeltuffin8147]

This was my hobby as a kid growing up in the 80s.

[@inoiwasrong]

SO AWESOME!

[@stevedl3150]

This looks like great fun. Alas, I live in England - where ( due to population density ) any rocket is likely to come down and hit someone square on their crust.

[@josephpostma1787]

eh..

[@JTC2227]

That seems Great

[@monkaybanannas2042]

Been years since I used a model rocket. Forgot how neat they are.

[@apogeerockets]

Yes, they are a lot of fun. If you start a new build let us know how it goes and share pictures if you'd like. We love to see how people's projects are going.

[@dentonsbackyardshow1013]

I just got 1

[@robdaugherty2010]

Strange question. Do you know if the Cloudbusters club in Durango is still active? We live in GJ, and Durango is the closest NAR club listed.

[@ChipsinDVDplayer]

Firstly i found this video really useful and informative, but i have a question, which is how long should the shock cord be? I am using an Estes Alpha III and have so far used B4-4 motors (not sure if that's relevant). Any ideas?

[@dnbpianist]

That is awesome. Subscribed

[@rongriffin4905]

Thanks for the video

[@RehanCherry]

thank you sir...............

[@japeking1]

Is the guide wire slightly off vertical so that the torque on take off shoves it upright, or isn't this a factor worth considering?

[@apogeerockets]

YOu can aim the rocket a little bit into the wind so that you don't have to walk as far to retrieve it after the flight.

[@bicnarok]

great vid, thanks

[@apogeerockets]

Thanks for watching :-)

[@aguilasfan96]

What's a good kit to start off with?

[@druemarino]

Very helpful but why didnt you stand 20 feet like you told us to?

[@ericdavis3990]

So if the launch lug breaks and the rocket goes off course it has a smaller chance of killing you!

[@MrTheKrafter]

This rocket could not kill you. It would leave a bruise but thats about it.

[@ragtime78rpm71]

Actually, he was referring to the spectators...

[@inex4431]

@Got_nuffin_on_me OMFG the chances of that.

[@lukasyouiq4946]

thanks

[@nolanpetrin1012]

Nice video I just brought the hijinks and rascal kit. This video is very helpful to.

[@customlaserrocketry2082]

+NPBOATS GAMING great kits to start off on If you wanna start getting into Higher power purchase a Vulcanite From LOC

[@nolanpetrin1012]

+Custom Laser Rocketry ok cool :)

[@customlaserrocketry2082]

+NPBOATS GAMING you can see mine on my video level 1flight

[@nolanpetrin1012]

+Custom Laser Rocketry ok

[@SIRROSLYNPARKS]

Your got a fly in your face because your standing in Horse Sh.. Great Video ! I Love Rockets . Great Time when I was in my teens . Luke any wire will work 2 wires 2 clips One on Each .. Also bring some extra scotch tape to hold the ingniter in the engine . Thank You apogeerockets

[@knowledgeknuckle9057]

Well that climax was extremely disappointing.

[@ajhproductions2347]

Matt Mackay 😂😂😂😂😂

[@pressplay1703]

Matt Mackay fake orgasm

[@calebreasons]

Did you put the safety key into the hole?

[@alexmorrison1122]

Dam them flies

[@lukefinlayson4307]

what is that rocket engine class?

[@joelvelasco1863]

What is it that is making the top come off and deploy the parachute, thank you if you answer, i need to know for an experiment

[@DanTourish]

Joel Velasco I am new to this hobby, but to my knowledge a lot of rocket engines include a first phase which is the main burn, and then a delayed ejection charge that pops the parachute out.

[@joelvelasco1863]

Dan Tourish thanks that was really helpful 😉

[@skoobysnaks6067]

My teacher said it was the pressure

[@Shadowknight5518]

In these models there's a secondary charge facing upwards which pops everything out, the wadding protects the parachute from this blast

[@pataha1]

can i use ammonium nitrate in fule

[@theastronerd4090]

Just wondering, where do you launch your rockets? I can’t seem to find a good launch site anywhere near me. Could you help me with that?

[@apogeerockets]

The best option is to ask the other members of your local rocketry club. You can find a list of clubs by region at the National Association of Rocketry web site, or the Tripoli Rocketry Organization. They both have clubs all over the world. Check there first.

[@theastronerd4090]

Ok thank you!

[@delorissanders7969]

I lanched a rocket today at StarBase! I caugth mine so sadly our team lost cause i was the only one to cacth one :C! BUT STLL!

[@lizbethcampos5078]

Hello I was wondering what rocket model this is and if it’s still on your website thank you.

[@apogeerockets]

That particular rocket is discontinued. But we have one that is very similar. It is: www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket-Kits/Skill-Level-1-Model-Rocket-Kits/Dynamo But you better hurry, as the Dynamo will also be discontinued when we run out.

[@SergioTorres-bq3ni]

Man I use to own these when I was a kid...

[@biniclavis]

how high did the rocket go?

[@nathanstraccia6986]

Cool man

[@apogeerockets]

Thanks!

[@TheHyperldrago]

nice job it helped but its not always a red light

[@toallwhoserved.thankyou.9180]

Vintage KZbin right here

[@spencerjones1844]

Please do a vid on how to paint rockets

[@caedes550]

The bob ross of rockets

[@tankerboysabot]

I may be too late on this, but why not make the parachute out of the flame proof material?

[@apogeerockets]

You could. Nomex cloth for example. But it is expensive and heavier than things like plastic. So there are always trade-offs. That is what makes rocketry so fun and educational - looking at the alternatives.

[@kerbodynamicx472]

What’s the delta V?

[@CraftingTableMC]

I found a rocket from a garage sale for 1 dollar! It works great lol

[@cliffsheets73]

Is the wadding recoverable and reusable?

[@apogeerockets]

+Cliff Sheets "Maybe" The paper is treated with a flame retardant. So it self extinguishes . You can collect the paper on the ground and you'll find it is charred around the edges. But you can reuse it. I do.

[@joeytorres1105]

What can I use instead of plutonium in 1955?

[@Thkaal]

I was 8 when I did my first one in the Cub Scouts

[@modelrocketry1019]

I'm more of an estes guy than quest but is quest similar to estes?

[@svensterdudemusic]

Quest is just a cheaper. Brand. Thereboth great

[@Gatewayvick]

Excellent video, nice tutorial!

[@michaelbyrd4480]

my tandem-x model rocket launch set didnt come with the engine or glue

[@apogeerockets]

Our apologies but we do not sell the Tandem-X Launch set. That is an Estes product, this is the Apogee Components KZbin page. Typically in most kits though the glue and engines are sold separately. We offer a kit through us that does come with motors but it is a part of a complete set including the launch pad, launch controller and more. Or if you would like to buy motors we sell those on our webpage too. The glue we do not currently sell. You can get it at your local hobby store though.

[@kylerichardson977]

The engines and igniters and wadding is sold separately

[@Fkk580]

How does the parachute trigger

[@apogeerockets]

see: www.apogeerockets.com/Tech/How_Rocket_Engines_Work

[@briteidea08]

My first rocket kit was like this. Controller was different color. Bought it in 91-92 @ KB toys. My second rocket was lost over Owings Mills Maryland. Built that from a DIY design kit. Dual stage D engine rocket. Payload area with my name and address inside. Went up and never saw it again.

[@samanthajester3312]

We made rockets from actual scratch at school and today was launch day

[@mikesmithiba]

Samantha Jester I graduated high school in 2007 and we did the same! Good to know they’re still doing it

[@kushdubey1111]

I have a mad science rocket....... I assembled the model but I am confused after it

[@CanobieFanatic]

I don't know, maybe they're Estes, I'll double check.

[@amie4111]

Whatengine did u use ??

[@apogeerockets]

It was so long ago, I don't remember. But my guess was probably an "A" size motor.

[@estebanoronaarellano6737]

Which is the name of the product that the rocket use to can launch, that is below of the rocket

[@apogeerockets]

Our company name is Apogee Components. Our website is www.ApogeeRockets.com

[@luqmannasiri453]

Cool

[@somkiatepheatongkaum2758]

fule?

[@kauriyang4738]

today at school I launched my rocket it was so awesome

[@jeffmiller9206]

Let’s make sure this does not fall into the wrong hands.

[@Fred_the_1996]

As a hand named "wrong", I find this offensive

[@lukefinlayson4307]

in a kit i bought it didn't come with rocket engines. But I think cause it is from a different company

[@scramjet7466]

Is that high it can go? I can throw it that high lol

[@aryangupta4021]

which set is it

[@apogeerockets]

We're not sure what you're asking. Do you mean which rocket kit is that in the video?

[@Wifebeater137]

Estes is pretty good

[@shaunmehringer1374]

I did this in spring it was windy

[@mondalgourab9208]

Nice

[@604roger]

I used to do this in mid 1980’s