Skill Level 3

The Orion is Luxurious and Speedy Space
Trans portion for the Orbital Business Traveler.

Kit Specifications:

Skill Level 3: Average Skills Needed
Length: 28.5" (72.4 cm)
Diameter: 2.217" (56.3 mm)
Motor Mount Size: 24mm diameter
Weight (without motor): 4.76 oz (135 gm)
Recovery Method: 32" plastic parachute

ORDER This Kit NOW! Just click on the "Add to Cart" button below.

DynaStar Orion Rocket Kit

P/N: 05029
Price: $37.33

Note: There is a $2.00 freight surcharge due to the large size of the shipping carton, and the additional cost of postage. Additional shipping fees may apply for Hawaii, Alaska and US Protectorates and international orders.

DynaStar Orion - 29mm Motor Choices
Estimated Altitude Predictions (generated using RockSim)

Please click on the motor links below to find pricing and any necessary hardware for using the motors.

Motor Used

Manufacturer

Comments

Altitude
Feet (Meters)

Motor Type

Quick Purchase

C11-3

Estes

First Flight

246 ft (75.0m)

Single Use

$12.62
3-pack

D12-5

Estes

Red Flame

481 ft (146.6m)

Single Use

$18.71
3-pack

E6-4

Apogee

Blue Flame

1295 ft (394.7m)

Single Use

$18.51
1-pack

E9-4*

Estes

Red Flame

895 ft (272.9m)

Single Use

$25.67†
3-pack

E15-4

Aerotech

Green Flame

1070 ft (326.2m)

Single Use

$11.13
1-pack

E30-4

Aerotech

White Flame

988 ft (298.0m)

Single Use

$11.13
1-pack

Sorry,
Back-ordered
(01/26/12)

E18-4

Aerotech

Blue Flame

1144 ft (349m)

Reloadable

$26.74
3 pack

18⁺

E28-4

Aerotech

White Flame

1098 ft (335m)

Reloadable

$26.74
3 pack

18⁺

F12-5

Aerotech

Fastest lift-off

1255 ft (382m)

Reloadable

$31.02
3 pack

18⁺

F24-4

Aerotech

Red Flame

1278 ft (389m)

Reloadable

$31.02
3 pack

18⁺

F39-6

Aerotech

White Flame

1270 ft (387m)

Reloadable

$31.02
3 pack

18⁺

*Hazmat fee required with these motors

See the video below for help in selecting rocket motors. Rocket motors are sold separately from the kit. If you are unsure which one to pick, start with the one recommended for the First Flight, and then another for a more impressive launch. Most motors listed in this chart are available through Apogee Components. For other motors that are not listed here, download the RockSim file to see if it will work in this rocket kit. See also Technical Publication #28 for guidance on selecting appropriate rocket engines other than those listed in this chart. If you don't already have Technical Publication #28, give us a call, and we'll be happy to let you download it free (you have to ask though).

DynaStar Orion

Big model rockets don't have to look so boring and generic. Most mid-power have that look of just three-fins-and-a-nose cone. The Orion kit, designed by Shrox, breaks the mold and is actually an attractive looking larger rocket.

And even though it is big, that doesn't mean it is hard to assemble. It is actually an easy to build rocket. For example, the construction step you may spend more time on is assembling the nozzle on the back end of the model — which by most standards is pretty easy (a Skill Level 3 task). So you'll find yourself flying this model in just a few hours of pleasurable building time

Awesome Flight Using Inexpensive Motors

Unlike other mid-power rockets, the Orion Transport is designed to fly on the less expensive "D" size black-powder rocket motors. And it will give you the same performance as other mid-power kits that require "E" and "F" size composite propellant rocket motors.

How do you get the same performance using smaller motors? Simple: the DynaStar brand of rocket kits use thin-wall body tubes, which are significantly lighter. So the rocket doesn't need a big motor just to get it off the launch pad. You'll save money, because you don't necessarily need to buy larger rocket motors!

History of This Rocket Kit

In the Apogee Peak-of-Flight Newsletter (issue #78), rocket designer Shrox created a free plan of this neat looking rocket. It was personally one of our favorites, because it was easy to build and used easy to find parts. What we did was to take this basic design and upscale it to use the new 56mm diameter nose cone. We also gave it a new set of decals to give it extra pizzazz.

In issue #82, many readers of the newsletter wrote science fiction stories to go with the plans. I'm sure you'll enjoy reading the stories. They are very imaginative, and sometimes humorous. Click Here to download the issue.

DynaStar Orion

Futuristic space transportation is closer than you think. Not only will you be able to make a trip into space, buy you'll have the option of "luxury" accommodations. That is what the Orion transport is all about; it is a luxury liner for the business traveler.

Just image, in only a few more years, you could board a rocket transport to take you to an orbiting space hotel. It will be similar to boarding an airplane. But the ride to space is far more spectacular.

The "Blue Barrier," as people call it, is one of the most talked about portions of the trip. That is where the sky turns from blue to black as you leave the earth's atmosphere. It is something you'll never forget as you ride the Orion Rocket Transport.

Orion Rocket. Imagine flying this to some distance planet.

Why is this a Skill Level 3 Rocket?

There are only two steps in the rocket that require more than basic building skills. These are assembling the paper cone that is used as a simulated nozzle, and then painting the bottom of rocket. Since there is some masking involved to get the second color applied correctly, it does take a little extra care and patience. Otherwise, this is a simple to build model that you should be able to assemble as quick as any other beginner level rocket.

Who Is DynaStar Mid-Power Rockets?
This is a new brand of rockets dedicated to making exciting and unique rockets that use mid-power motors (sizes: D, E, and F). It comes from Apogee Components, but is completely separate. That means they will be available in local hobby stores and internet sites soon. But if you can't wait that long, you can order right now here on this web site.

Kit Features

Plastic Nose Cone - The smooth plastic nose cone requires no finishing other than a coat of paint. Its 5:1 ogive shape is very efficient for high speed rocket flights.

Colorful pressure-sensitive decals - It is easy to make this rocket great looking. Paint the bottom yellow, and the nose cone red. Then it is just a matter of applying the sticker-like decals that make the rocket awesome looking.

Die-cut balsa wood fins - Balsa wood is very lightweight and can be airfoiled by sanding, to reduce the drag forces on the kit. This makes the rocket zoom higher and faster into the sky.

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.

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 large 32" diameter plastic parachute that comes with the kit, brings the rocket down slowly for a nice soft touchdown. The canopy on the parachute is a colorful black and yellow, which is easy to see in the sky, and when it lands on the grass. You'll also find that the chute has tear-proof adhesive rings that reinforce the points on the canopy where the shroud lines attach. These greatly strengthen the parachute canopy, making it practically impossible to damage the parachute. Because this is a big rocket, the parachute is an octagon shape, instead of being a hexagon. Therefore, it has two more suspension lines, meaning it can carry a heavier rocket down to the ground.

Tools needed to assemble this rocket kit:

Pencil
Ruler
Masking Tape
Hobby Knife
Razor Saw
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

Frequently Asked Questions about the DynaStar Orion kit:

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 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 and high-power size rockets. The Aerotech Interlock and the Pratt Hobbies GO-BOX Controller.

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

Download the RockSim design file for this kit. Click Here to download.

To see how the rocket looks and performs with in each motor configuration, download the FREE demo version of RockSim
(click here). This kit is included as one of the sample designs that comes with the demo software. Both Windows and Macintosh versions are available.

What is a RockSim Design file?

The RockSim software gives you a lot of information about the flight characteristics of this rocket: how high, how fast, where it will land, how will it react to wind, etc. The "design file" is intended to save you time. All the parameters (size, shape, weight, fin design, etc.) of this rocket have already been entered into the RockSim program, and saved as an electronic database file. You can just open it up in your copy of RockSim and start loading different rocket motors to run launch simulations. It's fun and educational to see the rocket zoom skyward, even before you built it. For more information about RockSim and to download a FREE 30-day demo version, click here.

Related Items and Optional Accessories That Go Great With This Kit:

Rocket Motors

This is a reminder that this kit does not come with rocket motors. See the chart at the top of this page to see which motors will work in this particular rocket kit.

Aero Pack Engine Retainers

Want to hold in your rocket engines securely without using tape or other unsightly methods? Then they Aero Pack retention system may be what you're looking for. There is a retainer available for all the common high power tube sizes that we carry (LOC, Blue Tube, and Fiberglass), as well as for the mid and high-power rocket kits on this web site.

Motor Mount Adapters

These adapters allow you to put a smaller diameter motor into a rocket that has a motor mount tube up to two sizes larger. This is a great way to save money by putting a smaller motor in a big rocket.

AltimeterOne

See how high your rocket flew! This is the one altimeter you'll use in all your rockets because it does not require a separate payload bay. It is far more durable than any other altimeter because it is encased in ABS-plastic. It also is the first inexpensive altimeter to have a LCD screen that displays the altitude that the rocket reached during flight. Better get two, because your friends are going to steal this out of your range-box!

Nomex Wadding

While not required, this would be a useful addition to this kit. If you don't use a heat shield, you'll have to use disposable wadding to protect the parachute from the heat of the ejection charge. And for a large diameter kit like this, it will take a lot of disposable wadding.

Ejection Baffle

An ejection baffle cools the gases from the motor so that you don't need to put recovery wadding in the rocket for the flight. Think of it as permanent wadding!

Epoxy Clay

While it has a 1,001 uses around the house, it works great on rockets to make super-strong fillets where the fins attach to the rocket. Better than regular epoxy because it stays in place and doesn't ooze all over the rocket. So you can get perfect fillets on all your fins, without having to do them one at a time.

Parachute Swivels

Ball bearing swivels for attaching your parachutes to help reduce risk of twisting and line entanglement. Come in 3 sizes - 200lb, 300lb and 500lb

Model Rocket Design and Construction

This 328-page book contains a gold-mine of information on building model rockets. When you get this book in your hands and start flipping through the pages, the very first thing you'll notice is that it is stuffed full of illustrations and pictures. The reason for this is that pictures is the perfect way to make complex subjects easier to understand. Even youngsters will be able to grasp the concepts in this book because of all the illustrations. Because of this, the book makes a great gift for your student that has an interest in rocketry.

What is expected when you launch your model rocket?

Are you new to rocketry? Do you think you know what happens when you launch your rocket? Now you can learn about the events that occur as your rocket is launched into the air. So when you launch your rocket, you'll be prepared and you'll be able to show off your knowledge to observers watching your rocket. This article also gives you links to other references that will give you even more background information about rocketry, so you can become a true rocket scientist and expert

Actual Customer Comment:

"The Saturn v kit arrived this morning and in good condition. I would take this opportunity to thank you all at apogee. I have always been a little reluctant to order over web sites, and it did take me a few weeks to make up my mind and take the plunge. By keeping in touch, you removed the worry and in fact made the process quite enjoyable. I will of course have no hesitation in placing my next order with you. Thanks again." -- Dave Baker (United Kingdom)