Facts About Estes Rocket Engines

Safe, intelligent design, precise manufacture and strict engineering tolerances have made Estes rocket engines the standard in the industry. They have been proven consistent and reliable in more than 300 million launches. Some important features are:

  • Lightweight non-metallic casings made from paper and clay materials
  • Pre-loaded with propellant - the modeler does not handle any hazardous materials
  • Expendable and bio-degradable - use them once and throw them away. Reloading is forbidden.
  • Non-toxic propellant - however, ingestion is not recommended!
  • 3% of all Estes engines made are static-tested at the factory for reliability and adherence to performance specifications. If our standards aren’t met, the engines are rejected and don’t make it to market.
The concept of the pre-assembled rocket engine is the foundation of this safe, scientific and educational activity.

CODING SYSTEMS

Two codes completely describe each Estes rocket engine:

  1. Color code: Provides at a glance the specific application of the engine:
    Green – Single Stage
    Purple – Upper Stage (on Multi-Staged Rockets)
    Red – Booster Stage
    Black – Plugged for special applications

  2. Alpha-numeric code: Provides the engine’s performance information.


TOTAL IMPULSE CLASSIFICATION


HOW HIGH WILL YOUR ROCKET GO?
The chart below shows the approximate altitudes that can be achieved with single stage rockets.


SELECTING THE PROPER ROCKET ENGINE

We offer several rocket engine bulk packs in five total impulse ranges. These packs may be used with the rockets listed on pages throughout this catalog or other Estes rockets. The description of each kit lists recommended engines. Select your engines based on these recommendations.

Bulk packs are convenient and include everything your students will need to prepare their rockets for flights.


MODEL ROCKET ENGINE BULK PACKS

Include:

  1. 24 rocket engines
  2. 30 model rocket igniters
  3. 24 reusable igniter plugs
  4. 75 - 11.4 cm (4.5”) squares of recovery wadding - enough for approximately 25 launches
1/4 A3-3T Bulk Pack ................... EST 1779
1/2A3-2T Bulk Pack .................... EST 1780
A8-3 Bulk Pack .......................... EST 1781
B6-4 Bulk Pack .......................... EST 1783
B6-0/B6-6 Bulk Pack .................. EST 1784
C5-3 Bulk Pack .......................... EST 1785