Astron Explorer

ESTES Model #7264

Description

The Astron Explorer is a master level model that you’ll want to add to your collection of Estes rockets. Using the same laws of physics that have launched man to the moon and now NASA’s In Sight Lander to Mars, you’ll send your Astron Explorer skyward. The Astron Explorer will spur your imagination and test your crafting skills.

Additional Information

• Length: 42.2″
• Diameter: 1.33″
• Weight: 6 oz.
• Fins: Laser Cut Wood
• Decals: Waterslide
• Altitude: 1200′
• Recovery: 18″ Parachute
• Parts List
  • Engine Mount Tube – 030463
  • Engine Hook – 035022
  • Engine Block – 030164-2
  • Centering Ring Green – 080427
  • Engine Hook Retainer Ring – 030160
  • Engine Hook Retainer Ring – 030166-2
  • Body Tubes (3) – 030451
  • Body Tube (10.75″) – 030374
  • Body Tube (14.1″) – 030470
  • Card Stock Laser Cut – 067161
  • Spacer – 038181
  • Card Stock Laser Cut – 067160
  • Fin Sheet – 067162
  • Nose Cone – 071044
  • Tail Ring Plastic – 072690
  • Launch Lug – 039166
  • Detail Cones (6) – 073031
  • Nose Cone – 072693
  • Parachute – 035802
  • Shock Cord – 038389
  • Engine Spacer D to E – 035005
• Recommended Motors:
  • C11-3, D12-3, C12-4

Instructions

Photo Gallery

Build History

• 11/29/2019 – Purchased Estes Astron Explorer from Estes for $8.19 (Retail $27.99).
• 12/07/2019 – Took pictures of package.
• 02/01/2020 – Opened package took pictures of components and scanned them. Marked motor mount tube at 3/4″ and 1/8″ from each end. Cut 1/8″ slit into 1/8″ mark and slid engine retainer hook into it. Glued engine hook retainer at 3/4″ mark over engine retainer. Glued one centering ring up against the retainer ring and the other flush with the forward end of the motor mount tube. Filleted centering ring joints. Cut marking guide and shock cord mount from a copy.
• 02/02/2020 – Cut slots into smaller body tubes.
• 02/03/2020 – Glued spacer tube to plain disc with center hole and perforated disk. Punched out spacer tube guide from card stock.
• 02/04/2020 – Glued small body tubes to main tube using alignment tool and guide. Placed guide lines that showed location of fins along the main and upper body tube. Glued the small tubes so they were even with the guide lines and slots of small tubes lined up with slots of main and upper body tube slots. One small tube was removed because it s slots were miss matched with the slots of the main and upper body tubes. The excess glue in the small body tube was removed with sanding stick.
• 02/05/2020 – Small body tube was re-glued to the main and upper body tubes so the slots of the body tube were in alignment. Later the joints of the body tubes were filleted. All fins were glued to the body tubes and the joints were filleted.
• 02/06/2020 – Glued one half of launch lug to joint on main body tube 8″ from aft end of tube and the other half to a joint on upper body tube 17″ from aft end. Cemented aft and forward ends of small body tubes. Pushed motor mount tube assembly int rear of main tube and adjusted depth so the tail cone will set properly inside of main tube. Cemented motor mount tube in place and tail cone inside of main tube. Glued shock cord to mount and then inside of forward end of upper body tube by at least 2″.
• 09/25/2023 – Spray painted sections of smaller outer tubes, upper body tube and nose cone with Rust-o-leum #328373 High Gloss White using photo card as a guide.
• 12/08/2023 – Cut decals from decal sheet and applied them to model with aid of photo card. This completes construction of Estes #7264 Astron Explorer model rocket. Took picture of finished model.

Flights