Estes Hydrogen Fuel Rocket

by Estes

Product Features

• Using ordinary tap water, create hydrogen power to boost this model rocket over 100 feet into the sky
• Unlimited launches so long as your kitchen faucet works
• Remote ignition button prevents accidental incineration of launch technician from the powerful hydrogen blowback
• "Powerful hydrogen blowback" is a puff of fresh air that is in no way hazardous or dangerous, though it is pretty darn exciting!

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 16 x 16 inches ; 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• ASIN: B0000AOVTZ
• Manufacturer recommended age: 10 years and up
• Batteries: 6 D batteries required.
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #226,294 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
  • #45 in Toys & Games > Hobbies > Rockets > Model Rocket Kits
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)

Product Description

Estes takes model rockets to the next level with the Hydrogen Fuel Rocket. This incredible rocket actually generates hydrogen fuel from water, meaning all you need is water to power an unlimited number of rocket launches.

Hydrogen fuel is clean burning, environmentally safe and energy efficient. Just put tap water in the rocket's generator and hydrogen fuel is produced. The reaction chamber then triggers the fuel for a launch that sends your rocket up to 200 feet in the air. Perfect for rocket enthusiasts and aspiring scientists. Set comes with an 11-inch ready-to-fly rocket with remote ignition button and heavy-duty launch base, plus an LED display that shows fuel generation and launch status. Requires 6 "D" alkaline batteries (not included).

Measures 10"L x 10"W x 25"H.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very cool rocket, January 9, 2007

By 

Rick Shrader (Sandy, UT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Estes Hydrogen Fuel Rocket (Toy)

OK, after reading the reviews, you might get a little worried about buying this. My son and I LOVE this rocket. In fact, we just did a little Hydrogen explanation and test fire for his entire 1st grade class. They LOVED it. Here's what we like:

Rocket goes about 100 feet high. Rubber end ensures it doesn't break on re-entry.

Reusable over and over. No engines to buy. Just wait 3 minutes and you're good to go.

Actually makes Hydrogen fuel, which is kind of cool to show off to the older observers.

Didn't like

Super design by Estes, terrible execution on Chinese manufacturing. Mine didn't work out of the box. I had to take off the screws and solder the battery wire in place!!!! Are you kidding me? Plus the chamber's contacts were not touching so I had to bend them to make it work. No wonder some don't ever work out of the box. Shame on Estes for not controlling the manufacturing process.

The faulty manufacturing aside, this is a big big hit.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun when it works, but the batteries will bankrupt you!, August 31, 2007

By 

Robert Weiss - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Estes Hydrogen Fuel Rocket (Toy)

My son absolutely LOVES this thing, but the battery life leaves a LOT to be desired.

It uses a set of 6 D-cells, which need to be alkaline types due to the high current drain (I measured about 4A while generating the hydrogen, and 5-6A to heat the ignitor coil). Using a fresh set of cells, figure on getting 12-15 launches before the batteries start to go flat, and when they do, misfires become the rule rather than the exception. At ~$8 for a set of batteries, this thing can easily cost as much or more per launch than the standard model rockets, but only achieves a fraction of the altitude.

I ended up modifying the launcher to run from an external 12 volt battery (motorcycle battery), and it will now run all day without draining the wallet. Estes should offer a rechargeable battery pack or 12V cigarette lighter cord as an option.

The other problem is the igniter system. It uses a nichrome wire coil that gets heated to ignite the hydrogen. If the launcher gets moved, liquid can splash onto the coil and prevent ignition until the coil gets heated a few times, or dried manually with a q-tip.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun when it works, but the batteries will bankrupt you!, September 4, 2007

By 

Robert Weiss - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

My son absolutely LOVES this thing, but the battery life leaves a LOT to be desired.

It uses a set of 6 D-cells, which need to be alkaline types due to the high current drain (I measured about 4A while generating the hydrogen, and 5-6A to heat the ignitor coil). Using a fresh set of cells, figure on getting 12-15 launches before the batteries start to go flat, and when they do, misfires become the rule rather than the exception. At ~$8 for a set of batteries, this thing can easily cost as much or more per launch than the standard model rockets, but only achieves a fraction of the altitude.

I ended up modifying the launcher to run from an external 12 volt battery (motorcycle battery), and it will now run all day without draining the wallet. Estes should offer a rechargeable battery pack or 12V cigarette lighter cord as an option.

The other problem is the igniter system. It uses a nichrome wire coil that gets heated to ignite the hydrogen. If the launcher gets moved, liquid can splash onto the coil and prevent ignition until the coil gets heated a few times, or dried manually with a q-tip.