Estes Industries launches spin-out rocket company

<p style="text-align: center;"><img title="1625208864140283.jpg" alt="9.jpg" src="/ueditor/php/upload/image/20210702/1625208864140283.jpg"/></p><p>If you launched&nbsp;Estes model rockets&nbsp;as a child, you may be interested to learn that Estes Industries has created a spin-out company designed to serve government and industry customers. Known as&nbsp;Estes Energetics, the new company bridges the gap between the hobby rocket industry and large aerospace companies, making it a partner to rapidly create propulsion and aerospace solutions.</p><p><br/></p><p>With engineering, manufacturing, and test facilities in Penrose, Colorado, near Colorado Springs, Estes Energetics will deliver research, development, rapid prototyping, testing, integration, and production for small, solid-propellant rocket motors for a range of atmospheric and space applications.</p><p><br/></p><p>Using the company&#39;s rapid prototyping capabilities, the Estes Energetics team recently completed development of a booster motor for a rocket-launched unmanned aircraft for a prime defense contractor, taking the design from initial concept to delivery of an initial production lot in less than six months.</p><p><br/></p><p>Estes Energetics’ CEO Karl Kulling has more than 15 years&#39; experience leading engineering, manufacturing, and business development in aerospace and other industries. He most recently built and led the&nbsp;Future Vertical Lift strategy team at Bell&nbsp;and previous led one of Bell&#39;s composites manufacturing facilities. Kulling started his aerospace career at Aurora Flight Sciences as a leader in the research and development organization.</p><p><br/></p><p>&quot;I am excited to be launching this new venture that will deliver the full lifecycle of rocket motor products, from research &amp; development of new propulsion technologies to implementation and integration in government and commercial solutions. With the support of Estes Industries, we are starting from a solid foundation that provides us the full spectrum of capabilities needed to bring complete solutions to market,&quot; Kulling said.</p><p><br/></p><p>A 2017 Government Accountability Office report on the solid rocket motor industrial base identified challenges and risks of a decreasing supply base. At the same time, customers continue to demand innovation in terms of increased safety, performance, and cost. As a new entrant to the market, Estes Energetics will address these needs and concerns. The company intends to focus its initial R&amp;D work in three areas:</p><p>Developing low-cost rocket motors that meet Insensitive Munition (IM) requirements of the US military</p><p>Meeting the needs of the burgeoning small space launch industry</p><p>Developing integrated solutions that require not only energetics but also complex aerodynamic, thermal, and structural analysis and advanced control systems</p><p></p>