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Estes launches ULA's Vulcan booster as new flying model rocket kit

June 12, 2025

— United Launch Alliance's (ULA) Vulcan rocket is ready to fly again — and again — from your local large yard, empty lot or community park.

Estes Industries, the Colorado-based manufacturer of model rockets, engines and accessories, has partnered with ULA to produce a 1:100 scale model of the company's next-generation space launch vehicle, which is now being prepared for its third mission targeted for lift off this summer.

"Designed for hobbyist launches, this model rocket faithfully captures the visual essence of the real Vulcan with its sleek profile, detailed graphics and iconic silhouette," reads Estes' description of its new $79.99 kit. "From the Centaur-inspired upper section to the sculpted side structures, it's a display-worthy tribute to modern American aerospace engineering."

"Very nice job Estes," wrote Tory Bruno, ULA's president and CEO, in a social media post.

The ULA Vulcan goes on sale on Estes' website on Friday (June 13) at 10:00 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT).

Practically ready to fly out of the box — just load in an Estes D- or E-class engine and mount it to a launch pad (sold separately), the more than 2-foot-tall (65.3 centimeter) model rocket is designed to reach an altitude of approximately 300 feet (91 meters). It then does something the real Vulcan does not — it deploys two parachutes so it can be reused.

A 24-inch (60-cm) parachute lowers the Vulcan's main body and a 9-inch (23-cm) chute returns the rocket's detachable nose cone to the ground separately.

"This staged descent not only adds realism to every launch but also improves landing stability and minimizes damage on touchdown," Estes' officials wrote. "This dual deployment enhances performance and recovery success — especially in wide, open launch fields."

Alternatively, or in addition, Estes has created the Vulcan to be equally suitable for your desktop or shelf, too. Included with the model rocket are a display stand and mock BE-4 engines to represent the configuration of the real Vulcan.

"Its bold design, featuring ULA branding and a stylized flame motif, ensures it turns heads wherever it's placed," reads Estes' description.

The model also has four solid rocket motor side-mounted boosters, two more than were used on the Vulcan's first two launches in 2024 and two less than its most-powerful configuration. Coupled with the real rocket's two first stage Blue Origin-provided BE-4 engines and upper stage dual Centaur engines, the Vulcan replaces both the Altas V and Delta IV family of rockets that ULA used since 2006, when the company was founded by Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

ULA's Vulcan is the latest real-life rocket to join Estes' line of scale model rockets. Other launch systems available to fly and display include Blue Origin's New Shepard suborbital rocket, SpaceX's Falcon 9 with Dragon spacecraft and NASA's Mercury-Redstone, Saturn V, space shuttle and Space Launch System (SLS).

 


Estes Industries' new United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan 1:100 scale flying model rocket. (Estes Industries/collectSPACE)




United Launch Alliance's (ULA) Vulcan rocket seen at sunset prior to its second launch in October 2024. (United Launch Alliance)



Estes Indusries' ULA Vulcan Rocket comes out of the box ready to fly and to display with the change of a few pieces. (Estes Industries/collectSPACE)

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