Estes Alpha III Launch Set for 12 Years and Up with Adult Supervision

Model rocket kits, which include reusable parts and require launching equipment and single-use launching supplies, are recommended for children 10 years and older, with adult supervision advised up to age 12. The assembly process encompasses a range of skill levels, from Easy-to-Assemble (E2X) requiring simple gluing and less than an hour of time, to Level 5 requiring multi-step assembly with measuring, cutting, gluing, and painting tasks.

Reusable rocket kit components include a cone, a body tube, and a recovery parachute, while a rocket engine, a starter, and recovery wadding are used once. Rocket engines come in various sizes, time delays, and burn durations, and a "first-flight" engine recommendation is generally provided for each rocket kit. A launch pad with a stable base and a vertical rod provides vertical stability during initial liftoff, and a launch controller with a keyed ignition switch and a safe-distance cable prevents accidental ignition.

The Estes Alpha III rocket launch set, recommended for ages 10 and up with adult supervision for those under 12, contains a launch controller, launch pad, and rocket kit packet with materials and instructions required to assemble the rocket. The orange plastic nose cone, body tube, one-piece plastic tail fin unit, and self-stick decals allow assembly without painting, and additional supplies needed to launch the rocket, such as a model rocket engine, starter, recovery wadding, and glue, are sold separately.

This rocket launch set provides the equipment required to launch the Alpha III rocket repeatedly, making it suitable for youth group activities like clubs and schools. Estes, the company that manufactures model rocket kits, launching equipment, and rocket engines, was founded in 1958 and is headquartered in Penrose, CO.

The Estes Alpha III was the very first rocket in the E2X (Easy to Assemble) series, designed with beginners in mind. With all colored rocket parts and easily applied self-stick decals, the assembly can be completed in less than an hour, and the black body tube, bright orange nose cone, and one-piece fin unit create a visually striking rocket. Using standard Estes engines, the Alpha III can reach heights over 1,100' (335 m), making it a classic choice for first-time rocketeers and experienced flyers alike. The launch system, including the controller and launch pad, is included, though batteries are sold separately.

In summary, the Estes Alpha III rocket launch set provides an engaging and accessible introduction to model rocketry, allowing children and adults to explore the wonders of science and experiment with different rocket configurations while experiencing the thrill of launching a model rocket.

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