Our TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award winner, Apogee Components is one of the top international names in rocketry. One reason for their success is the seriousness they give to the activity, their customers and especially their website, which is the best in the model rocket community. The home page of Apogee's website is a virtual "Rockets 101" for those new to the hobby. Among the interesting pieces of information in this you’ll find there is an in-depth explanation of skill levels 1-5, with a selection of products for each level; a direct link to RockSim, the nifty free software which is described as "a computer program that allows you to design any size rocket, and then simulate its flight to see how high, and how fast it will fly." RockSim, short for "rocket simulation," is a money saver. Let your design crash on a simulated flight so you can make the necessary changes, rather than shooting it off and having to pay to replace your carefully built craft because the flight failed.
Compared to other model rocket stores the Apogee website is the most thorough of any model rocket manufacturer in the world. It's worth exploring even if you're only vaguely interested in the hobby; the fascinating information you’ll find may ignite your interest in building and flying your own hand built rocket.
Standout Features
- Model rocket vendor list
- Scale versions of military missiles, drones and actual rockets
- Model design templates
Whether you're looking for kits, motors or rocket building supplies, you'll find a large selection for every skill level offered by Apogee. The company stocks 18 sizes and shapes of nose cones alone. Other companies may offer launch lugs to hold a rocket steady on the rod for the launch, but do they have two sizes? Do they have rail buttons, the stiffer version of a lug needed by bigger rockets? Apogee has hard-to-find items such as a rocket designer's pack of patterns and templates that allow the complete customization of a rocket in hundreds of different ways, as well as a reusable chute protector which eliminates the need for recovery wadding. Altimeters, flight computers, rocket books and software, two-parachute payloads — everything a rocketeer could want can probably be found on this web site.
The Colorado company offers a line of accurate scale versions of military missiles, drones and other existing rockets, including a Skill Level 3 Quasar Patriot Missile and 1/70 scale Saturn V moon lander for Level 5's. Aside from complete kits, the Colorado Springs company also sells accessories such as rocket tubes, nose cones, launch buttons and lugs, even design templates; in short, everything you need to build or design a rocket except for propellant materials.
The site offers a huge selection of rockets, parts and materials, with products from other manufacturers, including Quest, Estes and Aerotech. Apogee offers a line of accurate scale versions of military missiles, drones and other existing rockets, including a Skill Level 3 Quasar Patriot Missile and 1/70 scale Saturn V moon lander for Level 5's. Aside from kits, the Colorado Springs company also sells accessories such as rocket tubes, nose cones, launch buttons and lugs, design templates; in short, everything you need to build or design a rocket except for propellant materials.
The word "apogee," when used for a rocket, means the exact summit of a flight, the moment at the top of acceleration — in other words, the highest point. When it comes to online rocket stores, the Apogee website is exactly that: the highest point.
There are so many features on the Apogee Components website that it would be difficult to mention them all. Beginners can get a free DVD on building a model rocket or explore a special collection of novice starter kits. There's a plethora of educational articles, including technical topics for the experienced rocketeer such as explorations of rocket propulsion and stability, or how composite rocket engines work and more.
The Apogee homepage offers a wealth of giveaways and informational links. On the right side is a video which offers a free, postage paid DVD telling how to build and fly rockets. The video shows the launch, flight and descent of a big rocket; it looks so exciting that it will instantly make nearly anyone who sees it want to be a rocketeer. Under that is yet another giveaway; a subscription form for the free newsletter, "How To Build Rockets."
At the bottom of the home page is the "Apogee Education Center," a selection of links to articles that will quickly turn you into an expert. Click on topics such as "How a Rocket Engine Works," "Parts Of A Rocket," "Construction and Finishing Tips for Model Rockets," "Flying Tips for Model Rockets" and more. It’s an encyclopedia of rocketry.
Click "downloads" on the top menu, click again on "Today's Free Gift," and find a different giveaway every day. If you're not satisfied with anything you order, there's a money back guarantee, and if you have questions, there's a helpful customer service department that can, and will, answer them.
Apogee even writes their own model rocket books and makes their own "how to" videos. The company is the one that created the popular RockSim software used by thousands of rocketeers to pre-test their rockets before risking sudden death to their craft in an actual launch.
The Education Center has articles on every topic a rocket enthusiast could want to learn more about, along with a section just for teachers who want to start a rocketry project for their students.
Apogee admits their prices are higher than those of discount rocketry sites. But they explain why it’s worth paying a little more. From their site: "We build each model. We fly nearly every model. We do in-depth analysis to find out how everything works so that we can match the right product to your needs. It does cost a lot of time and money." Apogee also offers live customer service by phone or email.
The company has been in business for more than a decade, with a background that backs up their expertise. Company President Tim Van Milligan is an actual aeronautical engineer who was the Launch Operations Engineer for the Delta series of orbital rockets — so he truly knows rocket science. He describes his philosophy on Apogee's "About Us" page, "I have purposely tried to make this model rocketry educational site different from other sites. First off, I'm an aeronautical engineer, and I actually worked in the space industry, and that gives me a different perspective than other websites."
As we mentioned, Apogee takes their customers seriously. On the side of every web site page is a photo of a staffer and the notice, "We're Here To Help You." The telephone number is underneath, with "Talk to a real person" so you know that you get personal service when you call.
The address and after hours email are also listed. There's a money back guarantee on every product. Apogee says, in writing, "If you are not completely satisfied with the products you receive from Apogee Components, return it to us for a replacement, full refund, or merchandise credit. Our goal is that you are 100% delighted with your order!" The payload of information on the site, along with a surprising array of giveaways, demonstrates that when it comes to customer service, Apogee is just about perfect.
Apogee Components is hands down the most thorough and innovative of the model rocket stores of the world. It's an encyclopedia of information on rocketry, and the company also offers a free newsletter and DVD on the building of rockets. The freebies keep coming; with your first order, you get a recovery parachute, and there's also a daily free gift, often some kind of merchandise.
Apogee Components was the inventor of the popular RockSim software, the rocket simulation flight that allows the testing of any rocket's stability and flight pattern. In addition, the company's product stock is massive; you can find just about any rocket available, plus other flying products, building materials and supplies, parts and tools. It's one of the few model rocket stores that offers live customer service to answer questions and give advice.
