In 1961, Vern Estes designed the first Estes model rocketpackaged for sale as a complete kit, the Astron Scout™. Butbefore the Astron Scout took flight, a never before seen prototype wascreated. This prototype, named the Orange Bullet, used metal weightsglued to the end of the fin tips to shift the center of gravity (CG)back after the engine popped out at apogee, resulting in the rockettumbling gently instead of streamlining in nose first.

While the design functioned, Vern and fellow rocketeer G.Harry Stine decided they could achieve the same thing without ejectingthe engine. The weight of the rocket engine itself was used to shiftthe CG backwards in a later version which became the classic AstronScout. This rocket sold tens of thousands of kits over its longlifetime and inspired countless young people to pursue technicalcareers.

Sixty years later, Bill Stine, G. Harry Stine’s sonand current Estes Vice President decided it was time for the Orangebullet to take flight. This March, Estes will launch the first rocketin the new Designer Signature Series and the first complete kit VernEstes ever designed, the Orange Bullet.