All Rocketry Blogs

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Micro Mars Lander, KMX-02, Part 1, Parts (2020-08-28)

In the past I've built the full size Estes and Semroc Mars Lander (Sorry, not on this blog) and the Estes Mini Mars Lander: CLICK HERE . Now things are going to get even smaller - This looked like a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Micro Mars Lander, KMX-02, Part 2, Leg (Fin) Prep (2020-08-29)

The lander legs are cut clean on some 1/32" thick basswood. Before removing the legs from the sheet, the strut holes were cleaned up using a small rat tail file. Just a light twist to smooth out the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Micro Mars Lander, KMX-02, Part 3, Nose Cone & Tube Prep (2020-08-30)

The nose cone is probably the cleanest 3D part I have seen in a kit. There is still some ridges but they are small. At the bottom shoulder ridge there are some "nubs". Using a sanding block with 400 ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Micro Mars Lander, KMX-02, Part 4, Main Nozzle Forming (2020-08-31)

This is the two leg alignment tool pieces. To the left is the engine mount depth guide and the nozzle pieces. The other side is a bit smoky but this doesn't effect the build. The instructions say to ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Micro Mars Lander, KMX-02, Part 5, Base Disk Shaping (2020-09-01)

The base disk has a light line laser cut around the outside to mark the inside of the edge taper. I sanded the side by holding the piece at an angle and turning against a sanding block. Here's the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Micro Mars Lander, KMX-02, Part 6, Engine Mount Assembly (2020-09-02)

With the nozzle and base disk glued even with the bottom of the motor mount tube, the lower centering ring follows. The lower ring is the one without a hole for the Kevlar line. The upper ring got a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Micro Mars Lander, KMX-02, Part 7, Support Housing Assemblies (2020-09-03)

In the kit instructions- The lander legs are glued on the body tube, then the triangular pieces are glue around the upper leg. I thought the leg supports would be easier to smooth out off the model, ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Semroc Micro Mars Lander, KMX-02, Part 8, Leg Support Gluing (2020-09-04)

I used the alignment tool to mark the fin locations. The support housings were glued on using the alignment tool to check the spacing. On most models I plan ahead for masking and painting. The main ... [Read More]