The DARC-1 is the Deep Atmosphere Research Craft from the Estes Space Corps fleet — a lifting-body design built around the fiction of a crewed vessel made for flight through the dense atmospheres of gas giants. That brief gives it an unusual shape for a model rocket: a broad lifting body with a discardable aft booster section, which makes it as much a display piece as a flyer.

This is an Expert-level kit and Estes means it. Construction is multi-section with laser-cut balsa fins, and it asks for a level of care in alignment and finishing that a beginner kit doesn't. Builders who've enjoyed painting the Space Corps range tend to rate this one highly for detail work — it takes an airbrush scheme well. The kit contains all the rocket components; tools, adhesives and finishing supplies are not included.

Needed to Complete

• Launch pad with 1/8in rod and launch controller (Porta-Pad II and Electron Beam suit this rocket)
• Estes engines, starters and recovery wadding
• Four 1.5V AA alkaline batteries for the controller
• Build supplies: yellow glue, medium CA, hobby knife, scissors, ruler, fine sandpaper, masking tape
• Finishing supplies: white primer, black and grey paint, optional clear coat

Specifications

Skill level: Expert (assembly required)
Length: 236mm (9.3in)
Diameter: 19mm (0.74in)
Weight: 73.7g (2.6oz)
Fin material: laser-cut balsa
Recommended engines: B6-2, C5-3, C6-3
Max altitude: 122m (400ft)
Recovery: 305mm (12in) parachute
Launch rod required: 3.18mm (1/8in)
Recommended for ages 10+, with adult supervision under 12