MICRO-FLYING
MICRO
MODEL
ROCKETS
By Joe Malinchak | joemal@echoes.net
WHEN I WAS A BOY, a cousin of mine introduced me to the joy of building and flying model rockets. I had several favorites, including an Estes model called the Mars Lander. At last year’s Northeast Electric Aircraft Technology (NEAT) Fair, a friend showed up with a beautiful display of micro model rockets, including a micro Mars Lander! I didn’t even know that these micro-size rockets existed.
I did some research and found a company called eRockets that sells the SEMROC micro Mars Lander kit, as well as many others in the micro rocket line. The rockets use really small rocket motors that are only 6mm wide and capable of propelling the rockets up to 200 feet high. These micro rockets are fairly inexpensive, and you don’t need a large area to fly them.
Quest Micro Rocket Starter Set
To get started in this micro rocket adventure, I needed a starter set. QUEST sells several different starter sets, and each one includes a model rocket launch controller, launch pad, ready-to-fly rockets, rocket motors, wadding, and igniters. All that is needed to fly is a 9-volt battery, but a lithium 9-volt battery is recommended to help prevent misfires.
After assembling the launch pad and laying out the launch controller, I prepared a rocket for a test flight. Some of the micro rockets use recovery wadding to protect the rocket from burning; some use a piston system and do not use recovery wadding. I installed a fresh motor in the rocket and it was ready to go.
I placed the included paper sleeve over an igniter and position the sleeve containing the igniter into the igniter holder on the launch pad, and then slid the rocket down the wire on the launch pad onto the igniter, making sure that it went all the way into the rocket motor. I connected the wires from the controller onto the igniter, insert the safety key into the controller, and you are ready to fly.
QUEST recommends that you fly the rocket in calm wind. I was very impressed by how well these little rockets fly. They fly like larger model rockets and sound like them when they lift off! I would say the only negative is that they use a streamer for recovery instead of a parachute. From my experience, however, the rockets didn’t receive any damage while flying over grass during the recovery.
SEMROC MX Mars Lander
I was excited to build this kit of a micro-size Mars Lander. The Mars Lander was my favorite rocket that I built when I was a boy. I actually still have an original Mars Lander kit from years ago that is packed away in my attic.
The SEMROC MX Mars Lander kit is available from eRockets and has a retail price of only $19.99. It includes a 3D-printed nose cone, colorful decals, laser-cut parts, and a construction jig. The model is fairly easy to build. I assembled most of it with Titebond wood glue. Most of the work is in painting and applying the decals.
I first primed the model with white Tamiya Fine Surface Primer. The primer looked great on the model, so I ended up using it as the final white color. Applying the decals on any model can be a tricky task. I used a small brush and Microscale Industries Micro Set and Micro Sol decal setting solutions. I ended up ruining one of the decals, but I had fortunately purchased an extra decal set from eRockets for the Mars Lander. After the decals dried, I gave the model a coat of clear spray to seal the decals and protect the finish.
You can find out more information about my build experience and see my micro Mars Lander fly on my YouTube Channel, listed in “Sources.”
Indoor Night at NEAT
My wife and I will hold the Indoor Night at the Northeast Electric Aircraft
Technology (NEAT) event at the Downsville Central School in Downsville, New York, on September 12-13, 2025. Please see the NEAT Fair website or the “Scratchbuilt Indoor and Micro Models” section of RCGroups for the latest information.
The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and from 5 p.m. to 10
p.m. on Saturday. It is open to scratch-built models or models built from kits that weigh 2 ounces or less. Heavier models might be allowed if they can safely fly in the confines of the small gym. Micro RTF models that have been repainted or modified to show one’s creativity are also allowed to fly. AMA membership and insurance are required,
and all proceeds from the event go to the school. The event is free for spectators. We look forward to seeing everyone at the event!
SOURCES:
eRockets
erockets@rocketmail.com
www.erockets.biz
SEMROC
www.erockets.biz/semroc-rocket-kits
QUEST by Aerotech
(435) 865-7100
www.aerotech-rocketry.com/collections/quest
“Scratchbuilt Indoor and Micro Models”
RCGroups
www.rcgroups.com/scratchbuilt-indoor-and-micro-models-85
Joe Malinchak's YouTube channel
www.youtube.com/@JoeMalinchak
NEAT Fair
www.neatfair.org
The QUEST Space Pioneers Dual Starter Set for micro model rockets features everything shown, including a launch controller, launch pad, ready-to-fly rockets, rocket motors, and instructions.
The SEMROC MX Mars Lander kit is fairly easy to build and includes a 3D-printed nose cone, colorful decals, laser-cut parts, and a construction jig.
