We strive to ignite the imagination of every generation of customers everywhere by creating safe and successful rocketry experiences from their backyards, schoolyards, and worlds beyond.
We Ignite Imaginations
What We Offer
Estes Rockets is the world leader in model rocketry providing the highest quality products produced at the highest standards. Our rockets and engines ignite the imagination of countless students and hobbyists alike!
Model Rockets
Over 100 OptionsSafety
Our #1 PriorityEducation Resources
Lesson Plans & GuidesOne Year Warranty
All Products Unless SpecifiedConnect with Estes
Whether you need help with one of our products, are looking for more information, or want to start your model rocketry journey, Estes is here to help! We are available by phone, by email, and are active on most major social media websites!
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"The second important item mentioned above was how we treated our customers. We felt a special relationship with each and every one."
~ Vern Estes
1958
Estes was founded by Vern and Gleda Estes in 1958. A modest mail order company at first, Estes quickly grew as the nascent US Space Program ignited the imaginations of our country. Founded with the basic concept of Safety and a great customer experience, America's youth fell in love with model rocketry.
1961
Vern Estes moved the company to a 77-acre facility in Penrose, Colorado. Rapid growth followed at Estes, and Penrose became widely known as the Model Rocket Capital of the World.
During this period of rapid growth in the 60's, Estes pioneered many unknown technological advances in rocketry including multi-staging, rocket boosted glide recovery and increasingly accurate scale replicas of America's real rockets such as the Redstone, Mercury and Atlas rockets.
1969
After growing the company and the hobby widely through the pinnacle of the Space Race, culminating in man landing on the moon, Vern decided to sell his shares of the company, but would stay onboard as part of the board of directors. In fact, Vern still serves on the board of directors today!
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Over the next several decades, model rocketry continued to be one of America's favorite hobbies, and found a place in schools and youth groups as a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) educational tool.
2018
The Langford family; John, Ellis, Fritz, and Mallory, purchase Estes Industries from Hobbico. Dr. John Langford, a lifelong rocketeer with deep ties to the rocketry community, was and continues to be excited to bring rocketry to the next generation. He serves on the board of directors alongside Vern and son Fritz Langford, while Mallory serves as President, and son Ellis as Chief Technology Officer. The Langford family brings a passion to Estes that can only come from a lifetime love for the hobby.