Rocketeers of 2023: Soaring Together with Estes

In the vast expanse of the cosmos, where dreams of exploration and adventure take flight, there exists a community of individuals whose passion and ingenuity propel them to new heights. As we embark on a thrilling journey into the heart of the rocketeering world, we find ourselves inspired by none other than you—the visionary, the dreamer, the Rocketeer of 2023.

Estes, a name synonymous with the spirit of exploration, has been the catalyst for countless enthusiasts like you. In this blog post, we delve into the unique stories that define the rocketeering landscape of 2023. Each tale is a testament to the boundless creativity and unwavering determination of individuals who dare to defy gravity and reach for the stars.

At Estes, we are more than a brand; we are a community fueled by your passion and dedication. As we showcase the incredible journeys of Rocketeers from around the globe, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the unwavering support that has propelled Estes to new horizons. Your commitment to the craft, your inventive spirit, and the camaraderie within the rocketeering community are the driving forces behind our shared success.

So, buckle up as we embark on a cosmic adventure together, exploring the stories, innovations, and camaraderie that make the Rocketeers of 2023 a truly extraordinary community. Thank you for being the heart and soul of Estes, and here's to reaching new heights together!

Keith (@modelrockets321)

Doug (@rockets_by_doug)

"Hi! So here's a recent picture and a little about myself. I hail from Wollongong,

New South Wales in Australia. I got into the hobby via an Estes starter kit when I was 13 and was instantly hooked. Owned and lost many over those early years but rocketry increasingly took a back-seat during my late teens and eventually stopped altogether to travel the world. After settling back home years later I got back into the hobby but quickly found myself wanting to go further and faster. Quickly fell into mid powered rocketry and haven't looked back. Attended Australia's first rocketry festival back in 2015, met many inspiring people, including Homer Hickam and gained valuable insight from many like minded people. Have continued to improve my craft ever since. This is me pictured with a few of my favourite builds however if I had to pick one, it would be the PML AGM-256 Pit Bull I'm holding. It's flown over a dozen times, flies really well and is extremely rugged!

Obviously, working with Estes was a huge opportunity and one of the highlights since starting building rockets. Moving onwards, looking forward to introducing my young daughter to rocketry, always looking for a variety of new and interested builds and will hopefully continue with the hobby for as long as I'm physically able."

Tyson (@tyr0n313)

"My rocketry journey started in late 2021 when my 3 year old son got really into the Apollo era rocket launch videos on YouTube. He would constantly ask to

watch those classic launches, falling in love with the Saturn V as his favorite. A quick search online, I found Estes has a 1:200 scale Saturn V that was plastic and ready to fly. This was a great introduction rocket since it came pre-made. My son was so excited to launch this rocket, and it continues to be his favorite. He’ll actually play with it around the house saying “the first stage has separated” referencing the Apollo 13 movie. Since then, we’ve gotten into bigger and more complex builds like the Pro Series, and staged rockets. My first son is almost 5 now, and my other son is 2 and a half. They both help build the models and love launching the rockets together. They also went as astronauts for Halloween last year, and had space shuttle birthday cakes. I hope this continues to inspire them to keep an interest in science and technology as they grow older. 

So my rocketry journey is because of them. My sons are the reason for this hobby (although I enjoy it too). I love seeing their eyes light up during a launch. 

We also post some videos on TikTok under @The_mow_you_know, but Instagram seems to be our biggest rocketry following."

Kate (@katebomb) 

"I started my rocketry journey as a way to share my love of space with my son 🚀 I have always not only loved the stars, but have loved the human endeavor to explore our universe. Rocketry gets us closer to the future we can imagine for ourselves. I hope being able to create launches of our own shows him not only what is possible out there, but how he can create it all with his own two hands too. Together we’ve built rockets, joined a rocketry club, and even made a STEM day at his school where we showed his class how to make rockets of their own too! I hope to connect more and more future generations to the beauty of the stars and our future that lies ahead within them as well 🚀"