Model rocketry is a legally permitted youth activity in every state in the nation and has maintained a higher proportional safety record than Little League Baseball, roller skating, bicycle riding, swimming, high school football and model airplanes. More than one million youngsters and adults now take part annually. Literally hundreds of millions of model rockets have been launched safely. Records indicate that participants are far safer at launches than riding in cars to and from the launches. The key to this phenomenal safety record has been adherence to the National Association of Rocketry's Model Rocket Safety Code
Model rocketry is used in more than 15,000 elementary, junior high and high school science curriculums across the country. The Federal Food and Drug Administration has exempted model rocket engines from the classification of banned hazardous substances. The Consumer Product Safety Commission accepted into its regulations all existing model rocketry exemptions set forth by the FDA. The Department of Transportation officially classified model rocket engines as toy propellant devices and not as fireworks.
The U.S. Post Office has determined that model rocket engines do not create a handling hazard to their personnel. The Federal Aviation Agency has exempted model rocketry from the FAA regulations.
Since 1968 the National Fire Protection Association has endorsed model rocketry activities in its foreword to NFPA Code 41L "1968 Code for Model Rocketry" and in 1972, exempted model rocketry from the classification of fireworks in NFPA Code 494L (now 1121) "1972 Model State Fireworks Law." NFPA 1122 Code for Model Rocketry is the current standard upon which model rocket activities are based.
Who Endorses Estes Model Rocketry - Model rocketry has been endorsed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and has been approved by the U.S. Army and Air Force as a safe, worthwhile activity for service personnel and families. Youth groups including YMCA, 4-H clubs, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts, the Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Space Camps and Shuttle Camps, Starbase, and the Young Astronauts Program also utilize the unique educational qualities of model rocketry.