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

1. Landing Pads - that look cool and should enhance stability by adding drag to the ends of the legs
2. 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.
3. 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.