Amateur rockets have not yet achieved orbit, although some have reached the edge of space, with a record height of 77 miles (124 km) recorded on May 18, 2004. During this flight, the payload experienced weightlessness for seven minutes but sustained significant damage during reentry due to heating. The discussion highlights the challenges faced by amateur rocketry in reaching orbital velocity and stability. Current amateur efforts remain focused on suborbital flights rather than achieving full orbit. The potential for future advancements in technology could change this scenario.