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Product Description
On December 8, 2010, SpaceX became the first commercial company in history to launch, fly, and recover a spacecraft from Earth orbit.
The Falcon 9 rocket delivered the Dragon spacecraft to orbit where it circled the Earth at speeds greater than 7,600 meters per second (17,000 miles per hour). After nearly two orbits, Dragon fired its thrusters to begin reentry and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean 3 hours, 19 minutes and 52 seconds after liftoff.
Now you can build and fly your own 1:88 scale model of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket with the Dragon spacecraft. With molded nose and tail, full-color pre-printed body tube, and full color sticker for nose, the impressive finished model stands a big 58 cm (22.8 in) tall. No painting required! The kit includes molded transparent fins for flight, which can be removed for display. Dual parachutes return the Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft separately to Earth.
REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY (not included): Scissors, adhesive tape, white glue, epoxy glue (5-minute type), coffee stirrers or similar to mix and apply epoxy, sheet of printer paper (either A4 or 8.5 x 11 in).
REQUIRED FOR FLIGHT (not included): Model rocket engines (recommended B6-4 or C6-5, but not A8-3), engine igniters, flame proof recovery wadding, launch system.
OTHER NOTES
NEW! Includes full-color pre-printed body tube instead of the full-body sticker. The model's launch lug is 1/8" diameter and the model is designed for standard B and C sized engines, so these are good matches for this rocket:
Estes 302215 Porta-Pad II Launch Pad
Estes 302220 Electron Beam Launch Controller
Estes B6-4 Model Rocket Engine Pack
Estes C6-5 Model Rocket Engine Pack
Designed by SpaceX, and tooled and manufactured in California.
Build and fly your own model of America's newest private space transportation system - from SpaceX!
Customer Reviews
I heartily recommend this kit to any model rocket fan, but especially to any SpaceX fan.
Here's a tip for applying the very large decal. It's easy to screw up and get buckles, a misalignment, or air bubbles. One mistake and you're screwed. To save yourself grief, get a wide container, fill it part way with water, add a drop or two of dish soap to the water and mix it (not sudsy). Run the large decal through the soapy water with the tacky side down trying not to get the printed side wet (a little is okay). Now apply the decal. Match the edge of the decal to the pencil line they've marked on the tube. Gently wrap it around avoiding buckles. As you work around, gently patting the applied area from the center outward to the ends using a dry paper towel. Work out air bubbles and excess water. Finally pat the entire surface until it's snug.
This technique has two benefits: you get a perfect tight finish (no trapped air), and second, you can always peel back and try again if you make a mistake. Just be careful not to excessively over-wet and keep the printed side mostly dry. Don't worry, this trick will not affect the adhesion of the decals.
Happy flying! Go SpaceX!
I emailed FlyingModels@SpaceX.com that evening to ask if I could buy a separate nose cone and parachute to replace the one I lost, rather than buying another entire kit. That was 3 days ago and I have not yet received a response. Hopefully there is a way to buy spare parts for this kit!
I WROTE THIS REVIEW LAST NIGHT. TODAY I GOT AN EMAIL FROM SPACEX AND THEY HAVE A WAY TO HELP PREVENT LOST NOSE CONES ON FUTURE KITS:
"We'll add a note on future versions of the instructions that the nose can be tied to the rocket and the parachute with the hole left off the vehicle when winds or other hazards that might be a risk to capsule recovery."
THANKS, SPACEX!
