The Rocketry Challenge Starter Kit puts a classroom favorite in your hands. The Estes Alpha has earned its reputation through millions of successful launches, and it teaches the same core construction and flight skills students use in national competitions. With clear, visual instructions, learners assemble a rocket they can proudly paint, personalize, and fly.
What Comes In The Kit, In Teacher Friendly Terms
You receive twelve Alpha rocket kits for student teams plus twenty four B6-4 engines with the required plugs, starters, and recovery wadding to support twenty four launches. The kit also includes two LifeTime Launch Systems and two Pro Series launch controllers so you can run two pads in rotation and keep your class engaged from countdown to recovery.
How It Runs On Launch Day
Builds move quickly thanks to straightforward body tube assembly and laser cut balsa fins that align cleanly and finish smoothly. On the field, the LifeTime Launch System provides dependable pad stability and simple setup. B6-4 engines deliver strong, classroom friendly flights, and the 12 inch parachute brings the Alpha down gently so teams can prep for the next launch without long turnaround times.
Teach The Engineering Cycle, Not Just A Launch
Use the Alpha to model the full engineering process. Students measure, cut, glue, and finish to spec, then collect flight data and compare results across teams. After initial flights, try additional Estes engines to introduce variables like thrust and delay selection, linking observations to forces, drag, stability, and Newton’s laws. This kit makes it easy to scaffold investigations that lead toward competition readiness.
Technical Details For Planning And Compliance
The Alpha flies on Estes 1/2A6-2, A8-3, A8-5, B4-4, B6-4, B6-6, C6-5, and C6-7 engines, with B6-4 included for first flights. The included launch system is the LifeTime Launch System with a 1/8 in. launch rod. Typical peak altitude is up to 1000 ft. Recovery is via a 12 in. parachute. Rocket length is 12.3 in., diameter is 0.98 in., and flight ready weight is approximately 0.8 oz. Fins are laser cut balsa for light, strong, and easily finished assemblies.
What You Still Need To Build
For classroom builds, have scissors, pencils, rulers, fine sandpaper, carpenter’s glue, a hobby knife, and masking tape available at stations. These common supplies support accurate assembly and neat finishes without specialized tools.
