All Rocketry Blogs

 Rocketry Product: Centuri - Satellite 62SL {Kit} (5302, KM-2) [1973-1979]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Satellite 62SL Build Part 1 Parts (2012-10-10)

This is one I drew up on the last cruise. Not much to it, the chorme print decals are what set it apart: BT-5, 2 1/2" long BC-505 Nose Cone from Semroc      equivalent to the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Satellite 62SL Build Part 2 Antenna Mounts (2012-10-11)

I used a glue stick to adhere the Antenna Mounts to the thick mat board. You can get mat board scraps at most framing stores. Sometime they will give it to you for free. The mat board also ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Satellite 62SL Build Part 3 Antenna Mounts (2012-10-12)

To keep the mat board from de-laminating, run a glue bead around the exposed edges. I only had to apply a glue bead to the leading edge (up to the dowel notch) and the trailing edges. Sand ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Satellite 62SL Build Part 4 Antenna Mount Gluing (2012-10-13)

You can use three or four fins on the Satellite. Use four dowel fins and the helicopter or apinning featherweight recovery is more pronounced. Only three fins should get you a higher altitude. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Satellite 62SL Build Part 5 Paint (2012-10-14)

The body and nose cone are painted separately to make an easy color separation when the nose cone is glued in place. This picture shows the body and nose cone after sanding down the primer. I ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Satellite 62SL Build Part 6 Antenna Cutting (2012-10-15)

Note: The picture shown of the Satellite 62SL at www.oldrocketplans.com shows all the parts next to a ruler. I used this drawing for measurment of the antenna dowels. In this picture the four dowels ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Satellite 62SL Build Part 7 Antenna Gluing (2012-10-16)

Small strips of masking tape covered the gluing notches on the triangle fins. This kept the black paint off the gluing areas. Here I'm peeling off the tape, exposing the raw mat board edge. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Satellite 62SL Build Part 8 Applying Paper Trim (2012-10-16)

The main body wrap is cut to size using a razor blade and straightedge. You could use spray adhesive on the back, but lately I've been using a glue stick with good results. The bottom edge of the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Satellite 62SL Build Part 9 Monokote Chrome Trim (2012-10-17)

If you decide to use the Monokote trim - Use the printed sheet to cut the Monokote Chrome trim pieces to size. Tape the chrome sheet down and then tape the print on top. You'll be cutting through ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Satellite 62SL Build Part 10 Engine Blocks (2012-10-18)

On this build, the engine block will be glued in from the top of the rocket. You can do this on short models. The nose cone has not been glued in yet. Mark a 13mm T engine casing 1/4" from the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Satellite 62SL Build Part 11 Decals Over Monokote Trim (2012-10-18)

A few chances were taken on this build, not knowing how it would turn out. I wanted a chromed look but don't have an Alps printer that would print the chrome metallic ink. It was worth trying a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Satellite 62SL Build Part 12 Finished and Comparison (2012-10-19)

On the left is the four antenna finned Satellite with the decals over the chrome Monokote Trim. On the right is the three antenna finned Satellite with the paper trim pieces glued on.   ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: For Patreon Members - Available Carded Model PDFs! (2020-08-03)

Here's a list of Carded Model (Downscale) PDFs available to Patreon Members - Decal PDFs will be on a upcoming post DOWNSCALE CARDED MODELS Centuri Astro 1.pdf    (BT-5 size) Centuri ... [Read More]