Estes Low-Boom SST

In the era of aerospace marvels, the supersonic transport (SST) stood out as a remarkable achievement. By the mid-1960s, multiple nations were pursuing the goal of an SST passenger jet, with the prospect of traveling from New York to Los Angeles in less than two hours – a true revolution in air travel. However, the SST project faced several challenges.

One of the main issues was the budget overruns and projections of enormous operating costs, which limited the appeal of the passenger SST. But the real death knell to an international fleet of SSTs was the excessive sound – these super-fast jets were simply too noisy. The SST's thunderous "sonic booms," or faster-than-sound shock waves, were dangerously loud, leading to a ban on SST activity over the continental US, with other nations following suit. Eventually, supersonic flights were limited to ocean routes, and most nations dropped their SST projects, with only a single model, jointly developed by England and France, being produced in very limited numbers. The revolution never came to fruition.

Fast forward to today, and a solution may finally be at hand: the Low-Boom SST. By adjusting critical aspects of aircraft features, such as nose shape, fuselage length, wing surface area, and engine output, the duration and power of the sonic boom can be minimized. Successful test flights of "low-boom" supersonic aircraft have paved the way for the development of passenger jet designs.

Estes, a leading model rocketry company, is looking ahead with its own Low-Boom SST – a sleek, 30-inch long, delta-winged model rocket that showcases the next generation of quiet, super-fast passenger jets. This Expert-Level kit is loaded with features, including intricate, balsa-constructed, underwing engine pods and a large sheet of detailed water-slide decals to complete the scale-like look.

To build the Low-Boom SST, you'll need various tools and supplies, including scissors, pencil, ruler, fine sandpaper, yellow glue, plastic cement, sanding block, hobby knife, masking tape, clear tape, primer, paint, and clear coat (optional). The kit is intended for model rocketeers with advanced building, finishing, and model rocket launching skills.

When you launch the Low-Boom SST, it will climb to an altitude of 400 feet on a C6-3 engine, and then gently return to earth under a large 15-inch parachute. The thrill of watching a model rocket streak skyward, reach peak altitude, and descend gracefully is unparalleled. Estes model rocketry provides the opportunity for kids to explore the wondrous world of science while experimenting with different combinations of rockets, engines, and accessories to better understand how rockets reach outer space.

The SST revolution might be on its way after all, thanks to the advancements in low-boom technology and the dedication of model rocketry enthusiasts like Estes.

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