Sunday is usually the last day for rockets at Willow City, but not this year. Today, Saturday is the final day. This is because SystemsGo split the load more evenly between this launch and the upcoming one in Smith Point down in the Houston area. Now both days have 3 days. Although we only had 7 schools today, there were 22 rockets on the schedule, and all but two launched. Of those last two, Kingwood aborted one of theirs on their own, and SystemsGo had to disqualify one of RL Turners because it did not meet specifications.
We had another day of fairly smooth launches, some were just how you want them with great flight, deployment of chutes and floating down nicely, while others great flights that returned as ballistic lawn darts, and then we had some short crazy flights as well. But all flew and all were recovered.
Recovery did well again this weekend with a 91% return rate for the weekend and 100% for Saturday.
Robert Deaver, SystemsGo team member, board member and past Mission Control staffer has been missing from the launch the last two years, But today he did drop by for a visit and to watch the action with his new family, seen below.
After all the launches were complete, the team stayed at Mission Control were they all enjoyed pizza and drinks as well as visiting as a thank you from SystemsGo for another great year. We all watched the sun go down over the launch pad and then called it a night and a good end to another season in Willow City. It was a sentimental moment as well since this may be our last year here at Hillview Ranch. The program is looking for another launch home for next year.
Here are some photo of the group enjoying our time to relax.
This marks the end of another great year of Fredericksburg Rockets 2018. It was a blast as usual, no pun intended. Rockets 2018 continues May 11-13 at Smith Point down by Anahuac, which is in the Houston area. There are a total of 15 schools and 56 rockets on the schedule. Livestream will be available there again as well.
After Anahuac then there is only the Goddard level launches in New Mexico left which are coming up in late June. There is a fairly strong date, but I won’t be posting that until closer to time since they can still be subject to change at the Army’s need. I will keep everyone posted on that as information is available. Good luck to all those schools and safe travels when you go both to Houston and White Sands New Mexico. For more information as usual check their website at www.systemsgo.org .
The following is a link to the album of pictures from Sunday’s launch. Have a look, you and your school rocket just might be in there.
https://www.facebook.com/ginger.burow
Event details will be available here each day of any launch event. Daily reports featuring schedules, school names, results, pictures and some editorial content will also be posted.
www.systemsgo.org as always is the place for more information on this program. You may also email them at info@systemsgo.org .Take the time to get your school involved, the future of your students will be greatly benefited.
#SystemsGo #Rockets2018 #FredericksburgEngineeringRocketProgram #Launcher01 #SystemsGoNewMexico #RideTheSky
On the Wings of Angels 