Destination Mars Leaper enhancements

Estes Destination Mars Leaper

The Estes Mars Leaper is an interesting thing to call a model rocket. It's more of an excuse to burn A10-0 rocket motors.

These UNTESTED modifications are an attempt to make this more entertaining to fly - will you be the first?

The design tries to add a small recovery chamber to the Leaper body, so a streamer can be used to try and guide the Leaper to the ground, landing pads first.

The streamer doesn't have to be that big and should be attached via a strong thread to the top of the Leaper just behind the launch lug opening.

I've not attached a streamer to this prototype yet but have done similar configurations so I'm confident it can be done. (but we'll see)

I've included a STEP file for you who have the tools and the interest in tweaking this.

The mods enhance three areas

- Landing Pads - that look cool and should enhance stability by adding drag to the ends of the legs - Leg Connectors - again they look cool and are a much better fit to the leg tubes and do not require tape to keep them attached. The joints supplied with the original kit will fall apart unless tape is used. - Recovery Spool - this moves the motor out of the body of the leaper and allows for a streamer to be attached to the Leaper itself. It is designed to tumble recover (aka fall from the sky) - I suspect this part may only be good for a single launch. - The motor should be taped in securely - Printing this part in a bright visible color should make it easier to find after the flight - A streamer that is attached to the Leaper body, should be wrapped around the tube that goes into the recovery chamber of the Leaper. - Recovery wadding should be put between the wrapped streamer and the end of the tube channeling the ejection gases.