Hi! So i recently built and finished my first model rocket kit in a long time, so im getting back into the hobby. Anyways, the ps2 star orbiter recommended engines are E-16-6, and F-15-8. I know these are 29mm engines, so my question is what other motors could i use as well? Would a G motor even be ok, and could i use pretty much any aertoech F motor without an issue as long as its 29mm? Thanks for the help!
Estes Star Orbiter ps2 Motors
- Thread starter Karsten
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Bruiser
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I built an adapter and launched my Tomahawk with a D12-5 motor and I was pretty happy with my 400-500 foot flight. My Tomahawk is a kit bashed Star Orbiter. A little shorter and four fins instead of three.
I also saw a Star Orbiter launched the same day with an Estes E motor and I was surprised how high that flew. The sound was awesome!
-Bob
I also saw a Star Orbiter launched the same day with an Estes E motor and I was surprised how high that flew. The sound was awesome!
-Bob
shreadvector
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It is lightweight construction.
Too much thrust and the tube can buckle. Like a G80.
Almost too much thrust, but for a long time (long burning medium thrust motor like a G40 or G53 or even a G64) and the airspeed will become so high that the tube may buckle.
F25 should be fine.
BUT, the Estes BP F15 is so perfect, why bother with other motors?
Flew mine on a 24mm black powder E with adapter. Est. 1200 ft., almost went out of the park. Fly on a large field if using anything bigger. Nice, straight flyer.
OC-Patrick
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...used a D12-3 with an adaptor, long rod, little or no wind. Beautiful straight flight, no roll whatsoever. Modified for a mid-body separation because I was afraid of body tube crimping upon landing. Terrific rocket.
Brian H.
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I have successfully sent mine up several times on an AT G54 which is really pushing it with balsa fins. It is setup with dual deploy which added about 2oz. extra weight.
Scott_650
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Flown my Star Orbiter many times on 24mm Es and Fs with the Estes 24/29 adapter - flies great! As stated above, an Estes 24mm E really gets the SO up there.
MushuTheGreatStoneDragon
Active Member
My Star orbiter has had a long happy relationship with these. To echo others, keep the thrust low; to go much above an F you'd have to reinforce the airframe. And plus who doesn't like flights to ~1500 ft on motors that cost you ~$7 each?
I have one that I fly on the AT economax G76 motors... first flight on this motor shredded the balsa fins. Replaced with 1/8" basswood fins and have flown multiple G76 without issue ... other than trying to keep an eye on it - it more or less teleports off the pad!
Other than the basswood fins it is essentially stock built with Titebond II.
I've also adapted down to AT 24/60 reloads which are great in this.
At $14 at Hobby Lobby with the coupon it's hard to beat!
Nytrunner
Pop lugs, not drugs
Has anyone had tube buckling with the Star Orbiter? I've only read of fin issues (thus the 1/32 basswood sheet In store for when I break it out to build)
Scott_650
Well-Known Member
Not the original chute but a Top Flight Recovery Competition Parachute . I needed a lighter but larger version.
Fairly certain I did. Launched one with an I205, pretty much stock build with the exception of basswood fins. Cannot say for certain what failure mode but I did recover the tracker/altimeter/nc. Was a beautiful flight, just reigned down in pieces. I'll try to find pics/data..
Nytrunner
Pop lugs, not drugs
Fair point, that I can believe with the I205. I just didn't quite think a G80 would be enough to buckle it as Shredvector Fred suggested above.
swatkat
Down these mean skies, a kat must fly!
G40-10W also works. mine is stock, but I did use titebond M and T and make big fillets.
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If it does the g80, I'd bet h97 would be grand for an L1 if that's on your TODO.
Jacob Ritzke
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I flew my Estes star orbiter on a G40-7
It flew really well.
It flew really well.
Nytrunner
Pop lugs, not drugs
Blow that. H53 Mellow.....
If you can launch and recover a Star Orbiter on that successfully, you have surely and truly earned an L1
JARED S JAYNES
Active Member
flew my star orbiter on a g64-7 ( added 3mm 3d printed abs fing with 3mm fillets), then added 3sec of additional sec of delay to make it 11sec delay hit 2915 feet pulled 16g 455 mph landed 1000 feet from the pad... blew my mind, single deploy on a apogee 15" nylon chute...so it came down quick. jolly logic still said i was .05 sec early on the delay
JARED S JAYNES
Active Member
That summary screen says it was almost a second early....but that’s impressive - very impressive. The data also say that you only got an actual 8.15s delay not the 11 you were shooting for. It would be interesting to look at the acceleration graph to gain a little more insight in what was really going on there.
I think I’ve simmed the Star Orbiter on the H53 Mellow....the long burn pushes it very close to Mach 1. Not sure I’d want to try that....but it would be cool to watch!
Attached is quick and dirty Smart Launch data.
Heck, the 3-grain G33 Mellow would give one quite the ride as well. Now THAT is an excuse to finish my Eggfinder!
I think I’ve simmed the Star Orbiter on the H53 Mellow....the long burn pushes it very close to Mach 1. Not sure I’d want to try that....but it would be cool to watch!
Attached is quick and dirty Smart Launch data.
Heck, the 3-grain G33 Mellow would give one quite the ride as well. Now THAT is an excuse to finish my Eggfinder!
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You used an HDK21 ( black spacer ) to make a certed g64-10w, but it popped at about 8s?
Nytrunner
Pop lugs, not drugs
How did you "add 3 seconds" of delay?
