Discontinued Erockets Semroc Astron Build
 

I wanted to get the release date of the Astron and Erockets had it on sale so I got one. I had to open the kit to see if there was a re-release date inside, but there wasn’t. It is an interesting kit, with slotted tube, and it’s a down scale of the Astro-1 and also nearly identical in profile to the Asro Jr., which takes 13 mm motors. Since I had it open, I built it today, it’s nice, I think it was designed for classes. The Kevlar is the twisted type and is very stiff. I wanted to follow the directions exactly but there is no motor block. I have had a few hooks loosen or tear out so I added a strip of wood forward of the forward end of the hook. The Kevlar glued under the fwd end of the hook will keep it from moving aft. The other mod was I peeled off the outer layer of paper from the centering ring, no way it would fit in the tube. I’ll add it to a small pile that needs paint, including a lil Herc, a Start, Spaceman and Skyhook II. A neat feature is the fin tabs act as the fwd. centering ring, and the one centering ring stops at the tabs. The kit comes with a tiny streamer when other ST-8 kits have chutes. I doubt the through the wall fins will separate from the tube but I worry the long thin ends will snap off.

Rest of the build

I’ll add the finished rocket here.

I’d have to go out to the garage and look but I think I made an engine block out of a segment of an expended motor when I built my Semroc Astron. I do recall that it flies great on adapted 13mm motors.

It's so funny you would say that about adapted motors, because the Astro Jr. is nearly identical profile to the Astron, same dia., length, NC and fins. The differences are the Astro Jr. came out first, has surface mount fins, 13 mm mount and parachute. I think when the Astron was released it functionally replaced the Astro Jr., since it could be adapted down.
This is the big problem I'm seeing with online vs the old catalog formats. It's a real dive to find out details, what makes them special and how they related to others.