LEO Space Train

Estes Model #7285

Description

The LEO Space Train provides a more efficient cost-effective means of transportation compared to traditional rocket launches, making space travel more accessible and sustainable. The LEO Space Train is a reusable winged space plane designed to travel to the edge of space where it releases a piggy-back mounted second-stage booster. After release the booster ignites and places the satellite payload into LEO. The LEO Space Train can be launched, recovered, and prepped for a new orbital delivery mission all in the same day.

Additional Information

• Length: 17″
• Diameter: 1.64″
• Weight: 3.4oz.
• Recovery: 18″ Parachute
• Parts List
• Recommended Motors:
  • C5-3, C6-3

Instructions

Photo Gallery

Build History

• 01/12/2024 – Received as Christmas present From Jeromie. Model shipped from Estes Industries for $26.99 (Retail $26.99). Took pictures of package.
• 01/13/2024 – Measured components and recorded in Book #5 Page #12. Made copy of shock cord mount and tube marking guide and, cut them out.
• 01/18/2024 – Ran a bead of yellow glue inside motor mount tube 2-1/2″ from aft end and pushed into place with aid of spacer tool. Glued centering ring at forward edge and one 2-1/2″ from aft end of motor mount tube.
• 01/19/2024 – Marked reference lines onto main body tube with aid of tube marking guide. Filleted motor mount joint. Glued motor mount assembly into aft end of body tube with aft centering ring flush with aft end of body tube. Filleted aft centering ring. Glued fin parts G & F together.
• 01/20/2024 – Glued wing halves together with yellow glue and glued part H to mid-section on rear of wing. Glued part J to part H. Glued part I to wing halves. Glued part K to front of wing. Glued part M to part L making 2 pieces.
• 01/21/2024 – Rounded leading and trailing edges of tail fins and leading edges of wing platform. Glued tail fins to wing platform. Glued wing reinforcement part N at fin/wing joint. Glued body tube to wing. Filleted joints.
• 02/01/2024 – Primed with Rust -oleum #249086 Red Primer.
• 02/03/2024 – Sanded balsa parts with 120 & 220 grit sandpapers and sanded entire model with 600 & 1500 grit sandapers.
• 02/05/2024 – Spray painted entire model with Rust-oleum #328373 High Gloss White.
• 02/07/2024 – Removed masking.
• 02/09/2024 – Cut decals from decal sheet.
• 02/10/2024 – Hand painted model with Pactra Light Gray #A45 as per photo card.
• 02/11/2024 – Hand painted remaining Light Gray areas with Pactra #45 Flat Light Gray. Hand painted Black areas with Pactra #1 Gloss Black using photo card and plans as guide. Some Black paint dripped and ran into the Light Gray area. Wiped as much up as possible and allowed it to dry. Applied Pactra #45 Flat Light Gray over the darkened area.
• 02/12/2024 – Cut black tape from bottom of model and hand painted it with Pactra #A1 Gloss Black. Applied water soluble decals to model using photo card & plans as guides. This completes construction of Estes #7285 LEO Space Train model rocket.

Flights