Three of four schools tested rockets at White Sands Missile Range today. Fredericksburg, Alamo Heights and Union Grove comprised that list. The fourth school, Brazoswood will be first up tomorrow morning.
An one hour delay, five minutes before our first T time began a series of events today, that left our clock too short to complete our mission today. Union Grove was on the rail ready for launch when the range called the delay. After it’s completion, the crew evacuated and launched the UG rocket.
Union Grove High School proved to be the big winner of the day, because they were the only school to leave the rail. They climbed to 15,400’ before rolling over and returning to the range ballistic. It was a beautiful flight. WSMR personnel did recover it. After digging it out they brought it back to the site in one large piece and several smaller. It was a good day for Union Grove! It was a good start to the day with the first launch as a successful lift off. Congratulations on another good launch.
Fredericksburg was the second launch. They were on the old rail and ready for launch when the hydraulic ram on the rail failed. Fredericksburg had to be off loaded to the newer rail while team members trouble shot the issues with the old rail. unfortunately the old rail was not available for further launches today, and may not be this round.
Fredericksburg went for fill after relocating, but developed a permanent venting. The team decided to go for launch as it was. Launch sequence was initiated and the vehicle failed to lift off. Pad reported that it had only minor ignition and no injection. The rocket was removed from the rail and given back to the students for trouble shooting to see if they think they could repair it and go for a second T time.
Alamo Heights loaded onto the rail next. At 3:36 they attempted their launch. Their vehicle also failed to leave the rail. Initially pad reported ignition, injection or any burn or smoke. Several minutes later, as the bunker crew was evaluating the possibility resetting and attempting a second launch, the nitrous lines failed and blew apart leaving the vehicle inoperable.
At this point WSMR called complete and released our airspace for the day. Alamo Heights was removed from the rail for evaluation. They determined later that they could not repair and relaunch the rocket.
Brazoswood was supposed to be the final launch of the day. This year’s launch is also only the second time this school has been to WSMR. Instead of closing out the day, they will open launches on Sunday, as we continue into our contingency window.
Test Center Commander, Colonel Smart, from White Sands Missile Range, visited the launch site today.
Mission was called complete by WSMR at 5:16 p.m. today as the team and schools pulled away from the site.
The convoy slowed briefly along the route home to see several groups of Oryxes grazing on the range, as well as a double rainbow spreading across the sky in front of the line of cars retreating back to civilization.
Tomorrow’s schedule will be much like today’s. A Very early start in order to meet our 8:00 am. T times. Breakfast bags provided by the hotel will be ready for pickup by 4:30. The convoy will meet at WSMR Rt 21 by 5:00 am.
- Sunday, June 26th
- Contingency Launch Day (Two Rockets, if possible, at 2-hour intervals.)
- Depart from WSMR Rt 21 gate by 5:00 a.m. for 6:30 a.m. arrival on site.
- Projected launch schedule:
- T1 8:00 am. -Brazoswood
- T2 10:00 am. -Fredericksburg
- T3 12:00 pm. – Open
- 3:30 pm. – Range Time Ends
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.
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On the Wings of Angels 