I for one have no major complaints with Estes Except for they seem to have changed the skill levels around and have surcomed to the dumbing down of america. Thanks to complaints from the parents of either lazy children or parents who buy their kids a kit that is way to advanced for them. I say this because I cannot count the number of rockets I have built in the bast for kids who's parents bought the rocket on its coolness facter and its looks.
It seems to be not only the deep space rockets but all catagories of rockets. I remember also at one time you used to beabe to get a education kit for parents and teachers for free. This kit cam with a hard 3 ring binder with a bunch or really great teaching tools and an alpha, and a hawkeye kit as far as I know it is gone. The old sciencefair kit is gone, as is the designers special from what Estes has told me.
I cannot falt estes for this because, if parents and schools dont help children to use their imagination and be creative. Soon we Scrach builders and cloners will be a part of history. I know that with the many clubs out their and our influience we can keep the sport alive. I is just going to be harder.