Remember that last launch you went to when there just didn't seem to be any rockets that inspired you? Everything being flown was woosh-pop, whoosh-pop, whoosh-pop. Even the big stuff didn't seem all that impressive. Sure, it made a deeper whoosh, but it just didn't seem to make heads turn and get people to say 'wow.'

Now I would like you to picture a scene where people come racing back to your prep area after you just got back from launching your Apogee Aspire rocket kit. They will all want to know what the heck was "that" thing.

They weren't paying much attention to the rockets being flown, but all of a sudden, they heard something very unique. The rocket that made the commotion just kept going, and going, and going. It just didn't seem to want to quit.

When they looked up, all they saw a long thin wisp of smoke that reached from the ground to an astonishing height. They gasped. "That thing must be more than a mile high," they tell the guy next to them.

Do you want to wake up and then blow the minds of spectators at your next rocket launch? Then put up the Apogee Aspire rocket. It slices its way to over a mile high.

Here's a tip from customer Eric Benner:

"I love the Apogee Aspire. I have flown it twice, and that thing flies great. You may want to tell people that they should include a return shipping address, including country and planet!"

Assembly is easy - Just watch the video! - We've created a series of FREE quicktime videos that you can watch right now to see how easy this type of kit is to put together. By watching these videos, you'll learn some of the basic techniques you can use on other rockets too. You'll find these videos at our "getting started" page. Check it out!

The Apogee Aspire is always a fantastic flight. And if you use the long burn F10 motor, it echoes and echoes and echoes as it ascends slowly and majestically. It isn't one of those punch-in-the-gut high speed flights. This is a nicely clean liftoff that is easy to see from liftoff to when the bright chrome streamer comes out at apogee. In a word, it seems to define: efficient.

The Apogee Aspire sports that "classic rocket shape." It's sleek streamline design seems to cry out for a beautiful sky-blue day; like it was saying "launch me, launch me." Even when it is just sitting on your desk, it looks like it is carving a path through the air. Everyone that walks by seems to stop and do a double-take at it. They'll marvel at the simple elegance of the rocket and how lightweight it is when they pick it up.

There is another benefit to owning a Apogee Aspire kit. While it has a decent size to it, the rocket is well under a pound at lift-off. It doesn't require a special waiver to launch. Wherever or whatever launch you go to, the Apogee Aspire rocket is a legal model rocket. So when there is no waiver and you can't take out your honking-huge rockets, you can still get that overpowering giddy feeling of reaching fantastic heights and getting people to notice what you've done. You'll come home with a nice smug feeling, knowing you wowed a lot of folks.

The Apogee Aspire is also an easy-to-assemble rocket. If you're pressed for time and need to build several different rockets for the launch this coming weekend, you'll find that it goes together quickly. You'll probably finish it in half an evening, giving yourself plenty of time to work on other rocket projects too.

If you are a parent, and you want to give your kids a bigger rocket to work on, the Apogee Aspire is a great choice. As your child builds it, they will learn the basic guiding principles of rocketry, so that you will be able to tackle other rockets that are more complex and daring.

The rocket can also us a wide variety of motors and it does come with an adapter to use the 24mm C, D and E rocket motors. So if you don't want to launch the rocket into orbit, you can simply choose a smaller rocket engine.

This rocket is a real value at its price. It is the only model rocket kit on the market that can fly over a mile high on a single, inexpensive, F motor. Most high power kits with this capability cost more than $60, and then you still have to use bigger-more expensive rocket engines.

Die-Cut Balsa Wood Fins - These fins are lightweight and can be easily airfoiled for the best performance. By being pre-cut, you'll save time when assembling this model. The whole thing can be put together with ordinary non-toxic wood glue, making it safe for every member of your family.

Waterslide Decals - This is a simple design, and the decal gives it the look of quality!

The model also comes with a high-strength, Kevlar^® Shock cord. Kevlar is six times stronger than steel, and is also fire-resistant. 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.

Large 1/4 inch Launch Lug - Because this is a bigger model, you'll have a larger lug on the side of the rocket. This is used with mid-power size launch rods, to stabilize the rocket so it doesn't sway in the wind prior to launch.

The four inch wide, 56 inch long Aluminized polyester streamer sparkles in the sunlight making it easy to track this rocket both in the air, and when it lands on the ground. And it allows the rocket to come down quickly and safely. When this thing goes a mile high, you don't want to walk forever to find it, do you?

Tools needed to assemble this rocket kit:

• Pencil
• White Glue or Wood glue
• Masking Tape
• Hobby Knife
• Finishing Supplies like paint and sandpaper.
• Epoxy Clay to make fin fillets when attempting supersonic flights.

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

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

A. Since this is a big rocket, you'll need very stable launch pad. We offer a couple of choices: the Aerotech Mantis Launch Pad, and the Estes Porta Pad-E.

Q. What launch controller can I use to ignite the motors?

A. We offer two different controllers that can be used for mid-power size rockets. The Aerotech Interlock and the Pratt Hobbies GO-BOX Controller.

Q. Can you use a high-power motor in the Aspire?

A. The Aspire isn't built to handle the forces of an H motor. The fins will more than likely be ripped off by the high thrust of the motor. Also, most high power motors use reload casings, and in the case of an H or larger motor, the Aspire will be going very fast and will travel extremely high, and the chances of recovery are greatly diminished. That is why we recommend using the G loadables, so that you are not putting an expensive casing at risk.

Q. Will I need to reinforce this model in any way to allow it to survive supersonic speeds?

A. Yes. In "stock" condition, the rocket will shred apart at supersonic speeds. So you'll need to laminate the fins with paper skins. Sand them first, and then glue the skins on with wood glue (do both sides at the same time to prevent warping. Finally, you'll need to use extra strong fin fillets. You should use the Epoxy Clay as recommended in the instructions.

Q. Will I hear a sonic BOOM when this rocket exceeds supersonic speeds?

A. You will definitely create a sonic boom but it will be hard to hear. With the rocket traveling away from you, the sonic boom will be moving away from you too. And the sonic boom doesn't start until the rocket is about 100 feet up in the air, so you're already a good distance away. Finally, the roar of the rocket motor is so great, it would probably drown out the sound of the boom anyway.

Q. How do you find the rocket that goes one mile high?

A. Have binoculars ready when you launch. You may need them. One thing we did on this kit to make it easier to find is that it comes with a streamer instead of a parachute for recovery. It comes down a little bit faster, so it won't drift as far as compared to a parachute recovered model.

Sample of the kit instructions (pdf file) - so you can get a feel for the quality of this kit.

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