While NASA Dilly-Dallies,
Quest Shows Us How It's Done

Here is a highly detailed sport scale model of NASA's next big-payload launch vehicle. The kit features beautifully detailed and pre-printed body wraps. There is no painting necessary—just cut out the wraps and use spray adhesive to apply them to the tube surface.

While NASA continues development of the real vehicle, Quest's engineers designed their own version! A must-have rocket for true space enthusiasts, especially if you want to get a jump on everyone else.

Take this kit out to the launch field, and you will have every enthusiast within sight asking if this is the Ares V cargo-hauling space truck!

The Ares V is the cargo launch component of the Constellation program, which will replace the Space Shuttle after its retirement in 2010. Initially, the Ares V will launch the Earth Departure Stage and Altair lunar lander when NASA returns to the Moon, which is currently planned for 2019, but will also serve as the principal launcher for missions beyond the Earth-Moon system, including the program's ultimate goal, a manned mission to Mars after 2030.

The unmanned Ares V will complement the smaller Ares I rocket for the launching of the 4 to 6 person Orion spacecraft. Both rockets, deemed safer than the current Space Shuttle, will utilize technologies developed for Apollo, the Shuttle, and the Delta IV EELV program.

The Ares V will be able to carry 414,000 lb to Low Earth orbit, and 157,000 lb to the Moon.

Upon completion the Ares V will be the most powerful rocket ever built, lifting more into orbit than even the Saturn V. The Ares V and the smaller Ares I are named after Ares, the Greek god of war.

The Ares V is a three-stage rocket: the first and second stages, which burn together, utilizes both solid and liquid propulsion with the upper stage providing the necessary propulsion to send the hardware and staples beyond low-Earth orbit and onto a trajectory to the Moon.

The upper stage, derived from the S-IVB upper stage used on the Saturn IB and Saturn V rockets, is known as the Earth Departure Stage. Powered by the Apollo-derived J-2X rocket engine, which will also be used on the liquid-fueled upper stage of the Ares I booster, the EDS will be used to steer the Altair lunar lander into its initial low-Earth "parking" orbit for later retrieval by the Orion spacecraft, and then will propel both the Altair and Orion to the Moon.

The EDS can also be used to haul large payloads into low-Earth orbit, along with placing large unmanned spacecraft onto trajectories beyond the Earth-Moon system.

Why Skill Level 3?
The Future Launch Vehicle is what we would call a "low skill level 3" kit. Quest starts with four standard thin-wall body tubes, adds full-body wraps, and, quickly, you've got amazing scale-like detail. While we painted our display model's nose cone black (an option suggested in Quest's exemplary instructions), you can leave it white. If you do, there's no painting, sanding or sealing at all. If you build a lot of rockets, like I do, this is a welcome vacation from the normal finishing process.

The SRB nose cones require assembly of their shoulders. The fins are a 3-layer sandwich of wrap material and cardstock. The SRB nozzles must be cut out, rolled and glued from one of the wrap sheets. Spray glue must be used on all of the body wraps: if you have never done this before, you need to try a couple of dry runs before you make the commitment with these great-looking wraps.

Ours were 1mm too long, which is just right: if you want to overlap a tiny bit, you can, but if you want to have a perfect joint, you can trim off a little and build a joint that's hard to find at all.

I found that the wraps are also resistant to scratches and wear.

Durable Plastic Parachute - The kit comes with a colorful chute that makes it easy to see your rocket as it comes down from super-high flights.

The model also comes with a high-strength, Kevlar^® Shock cord. Kevlar® is six times stronger than steel, and is also fire proof. It can easily withstand the high heat of ejection, ensuring the rocket descends as a single piece. This makes for a very durable rocket that can be launched again and again. Kevlar® doesn't have any give, though, so Quest also includes some elastic to conquer the shock.

Tools needed to assemble this rocket kit:

• Pencil
• White glue or carpenter's wood glue
• Permanent spray glue
• Masking tape
• Hobby knife - (Optional) Used to remove fins from wood sheet.
• Finishing Supplies like paint and sandpaper.

To Launch This Rocket Kit, You'll Also Need:

• Rocket Motors (Not included with this kit - See the motor selection above)
• Launch Pad (see below for suggestions) & Launch Controller (Not included with this kit)
• Recovery Wadding - Disposable | Reusable

Q. What launch pad should I use to launch this kit?

A. We recommend the Sky Launch System. This rocket flies just fine off this inexpensive launch pad.

Q. Where can I learn more about the Constellation program?

A. The NASA informational site is a great resource.

Q. This kit looks like it's made for more power. Can I load up the 3 SRBs with 13mm motors?

A. Yes. But you need to spend some time in Rocksim enlarging the fin size, because the weight of 3 more motors will shift the center of gravity aft, resulting in unstable flight. We recommend Quest igniters for reliable cluster ignition. You will also need a clip whip. Please send us photos and videos of your launches if you build like this. If they're good enough quality, we might post them on this product page.

Q. I need help selecting motors. What should I do? Can you teach me how to select them myself?

A. Watch this YouTube video - How to Select Model Rocket Engines

We encourage you to learn the proper motor selection technique. Please watch our YouTube video that will walk you step-by-step through the process