Category: life

Mission Complete At WSMR Today, Saturday, For Rockets 2025 Season

Alamo Heights, Brazoswood and Union Grove tested rockets at White Sands Missile Range today.  WSMR had SystemsGo on a tight schedule again this year. It meant that two rockets had to be loaded on the rails before we left the range yesterday on set up day. The third had to be ready to swap out as soon as the first two were tested.

We had an 8:00 a.m. slot for the first T-time. Range time began at 6:30 a.m. The team was wheels rolling at 5:00 a.m. The school were dropped off at Tula G along the way, where they watched the launches on live feed. The SystemsGo team arrived at ABC-1 at 6:30 a.m.

Union Grove was fueled and ready for launch at 8:20 a.m.The rail and fuel teams evac’d 5 miles out on the range to watch the launch from the road. Rebekah, Randy and George readied the rocket for fire and  evac’d to the “bell” (tiny metal launch bunker) and coordinated with WSMR for count down and launch.

Union Grove’s rocket tested at 8:30 a.m. right on schedule to start the day. Unfortunately they had an internal ignition wire that pulled lose and resulted in a misfire.

Alamo Heights was on the second rail. It was fueled and ready by 10:28 a.m. The same evac process for the Team was followed. The rocket left the rail and traveled a couple thousand feet before beginning to spiral, banking back toward the bell and nose diving into the ground about 150 yards from the bell. The boom of impact was loud even 5 miles out. Rebekah and George said it make the ground shake. Wsmr used a backhoe to dig out what the coil and return it to the students. The engine casing was still mostly intact, but there was only a tiny piece of the nose one, and the rest was just chunks of twisted metal. It was pretty amazing to see.

Brazoswood students were brought in from Tula G to load thier rocket on the first rail and take team pictures. Then they were escorted back to Tula G to await their launch and watch. SystemsGo team worked quickly to get everything connected and the rocket fueled to meet an 12:30 p.m. T-time to test.

At 12:30 Brazoswood was fueled and ready  for their launch. Unfortunately before countdown ever commenced the vehicle had an internal failure that resulted in the nitrous blowing out the aft end of the rocket. This ended any further chance of the vehicle testing.

As soon as WSMR determined the pad was again safe, they called for the SG team and schools to return to the site for tear down. We had the entire site packed up by 2:48 p.m.

Rebekah and George spoke to the students about perseverance and that this was a great accomplishment even if their rocket failed. Last but never least she thanked all the WSMR personnel for all their hard work and support again this year and promised them cool new swag that was still coming in the mail.

When presentations were complete, all of the SystemsGo team took photos in front of the old resident tank, fascilitated by Chris, our WSMR Doc Photo. Then Mission was called complete and it was wheels rolling off the range at 3:30 p.m.

The SystemsGo team capped off the evening with dinner at Johnny Carino’s Italian Restaurant and then called it a day.

 One quick side note, we did see two Oryx this year on our way in to the range this morning. Both stood there curiously watching us and posing as they knew we couldn’t even take his picture.

Tomorrow will be a good breakfast at 6:00 a.m. at Denny’s for some or the hotel for the sleep ins and then on the road back to Texas by 7:00 a.m.

WSMR concludes another successful year of launches that begain with Jal, NM, Jacksoboro, Anahuac/Smith Point , and Willow City. The group helped test 159 Tchaikovsky,  Oberth and Von Braun rockets and 3 Goddard level rockets for the Rockets 2025 season.

Now the volunteer staff returns to their daily lives and the SystemsGo team transitions into program updates, new teacher training begins with more schools, teachers, students and rockets. It won’t be long and “launch season” will be back again with Rockets 2026. Next year’s season will begin again with spring launches in Jal, New Mexico,  NTX-Jacksboro, SETX-Anahua/Smith Point, CTX-Stonewall, and White Sands Missile Range. It should prove to be another exciting year.

Watch for Spring dates to be announced in late fall, so you can begin planning to watch. Until then, keep your Eyes To The Sky! See you next year!

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.

#Rockets2025 #TexasRocketTrail #EyesonTheSkies #Ridetheskies #ItisRocketScience #EyesToTheSky!

ROCKETS 2025 Season, Spring Launch Sequence Begins Today!!!!!

SystemsGo Rockets 2025 launch sequence begins with T-0 set for early today, Wednesday morning in Jal, New Mexico. After launches on Wednesday and Thursday in Jal, action will transition to the second venue in Jacksboro, TX for the Northeast Texas Launches on Thursday and Friday.  Central Texas Launches are third on the docket and will open in Stonewall the first week in May on Thursday through Saturday, and Smith Point will host the Southeast Texas Launches on Friday and  Saturday of the second week in May, concluding the 2025 Spring Launch series.

Necessities and logistics for all  Texas and New Mexico launch venues have been established. Travel  and accommodation plans are also lined out, and the Team is ready.

Things that will be available onsite this year:

  1. Concessions will be available onsite at each location  (menus may be limited.)
  2. We encourage bringing your own 10×10 pop up for extra shelter from weather be it sun or rain.
  3. Hand washing stations and portable restrooms.
  4. A Livestream link from all Texas launches. Available online at https://www.systemsgo.org/events/ The correct link will be listed under each venue information section.
  5. A Google map link directing you to the launch site and the individual Stages is available at https://www.systemsgo.org/events/

Here are a couple of things that SystemsGo requires for your attendance at our spring launches:

  1. Any member of the public wishing to attend a launch is required to register online and agree to SystemsGo Terms and Conditions 2025 waiver acknowledging that you are entering a test site on an unimproved ranchland, launching area with student designed and built, previously untested, experimental rockets.  There is no charge, but proof of registration is required before entering the site.
  2. The QR code for registration can be found https://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

Questions and concerns may be directed to info@systemsgo.org.

Dates for all events except White Sands Missile Range are as follows:

  • Jal, New Mexico  — April 23-24
    • Phillips Hill Rd & County Rd 10, Jal NM 88252
  • North Texas/Jack County — April 24-25,  weather contingency day on the 26th
    • FM 2210 W and Gowan Ranch Lane, Jacksboro, TX 76458
  • Central Texas/Stonewall — May 1-3,  weather contingency day on May 4th
    • 2187 Double Horn Road, Stonewall, Texas 78671
  • Southeast Texas/Smith Point — May 9-10,  weather contingency day May 12th
    • 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
  • WSMR – Late June, final dates TBD

Twelve schools will launch in Jal, and a total of 34 schools in the three Texas launches, which brings the grand total of schools to 46. A total of 161  rockets will be tested between the Texas and New Mexico launches for this 2025 Rocket season.

The sites will be open for admittance to the general public at 8:00 a.m. and launches will commence as soon as the first rockets complete all Stages and are cleared for launch.  Rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch. Come join in the action and cheer on these students. Admission is free, but the look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered, is far from priceless.

Stage 1 and Stage 2 check stations will start admitting students and teachers at 6:00 a.m.

Stay tuned for more updates as events get closer. More changes may be announced as plans and arrangements are completely finalized. Rockets will #RideTheSkies in just under two weeks.  Welcome back to the SystemsGo Rocket Trail, we will see you at lift off!

Event details will continue to be available here.

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 supremely enhanced.

Hope to see you at the launches!

#EYESTOTHESKY!! #RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2025 #SystemsGoRoocketTrail #TXNMRockets2025 #EyesToTheSky!!

 

Who Are You Today?

Who Are You Today?

Who are you today?
Is the person I know there?
Or have you gone away?

Right know you still know my name,
But whether you love me or have me
Depends on whether I play along with your mental games!

They say I should not argue or disagree,
And never contradict,
But the mean things you say I know cannot be.

You are living in delusions and bad dreams,
And you believe all you see there,
Even at the expense of tearing your family apart it seems.

You claim things are stolen, carried away,
And even when for you we find them;
You cannot possibly be wrong so, “that is not them,” you say!

Some things you even tell us where to look,
And when we bring them to you,
You are surprised and shook.

Some days you are almost you.
Other days you are angry and mean.
Your character changes by whose talking with you.

You scream, yell, beat your fists,
Play the victim, the martyr, the guilt and pity cards.
Your words and personality are a constant twist.

You’ve become so ugly and mean,
Your loved ones cringe at your name on their phone,
Because of the stress the conversation will glean.

We try to help you any way that we can,
But the more we do,
The more the flames of your delusions fan.

We watch as you steadily decline,
In both body and mind,
Knowing the help, you need you will never agree to find.

I see only glimpses of the person I once knew.
If you could truly see and hear yourself,
You would know this is not you!

You used to worry so much about what people would think.
Now the things you say and do,
Would have made the real you, in shame shrink!

You talk about and try to end your life.
You say you wish you have never married, never had kids.
Your words drip with hate and we do our best to take it in strife.

Who are you today?
Will you talk to me, love me, hug me,
Or bang your fists, scream, cry and send me away?

Who are you today?
Will I know you at all except by your face?
And will your words be more things I wish you wouldn’t say?

Who are you today?
Will we get a tiny glimpse at least for a moment,
Of our loved one today?

Who are you today?
We beg you to get help before it’s too late.
And this person stays, and the real you goes completely away.

Who are you today?
We know it will happen eventually,
But if you just let us get you help, it wouldn’t have to be today.

Ginger Burow
11/14/24

Alzheimer’s and Dementia are rude and cruel diseases, not only to the individual that has it, but also to everyone they love and that loves them. It turns them into people they would never aspire to be, causing them to act in ways that would mortify them if they were in their right minds.

As a family member it calls into question everything you thought you knew about them and yourself. You constantly have to remind yourself, they don’t know what they are doing or saying. But just like what they are doing and saying they believe is real when it isn’t, it is also very real to you that they are treating you this way and talking to you in this manner, and accusing your of atrocious things. It is very hard to accept that the person that is supposed to love you, can be the meanest, ugliest person to you. That they can speak to you with a voice dripping with disdain, venom and hate all because you didn’t agree with something they said. They can be so angry an unbelieving that they need medical help, that they hate you, wish you were never born, want to kill themselves, and sometimes you.

Your soul aches and pities them wanting to help, but they refuse. Your mind and heart reel from their words, actions and voice unable to believe that they really don’t know what they are doing and saying, but knowing there is no other answer, because the real person would be distraught if they could really see their own behavior.

Love is the answer, and you try to keep that going and in mind, but some days it is very hard to remember this person loved you. Try your best to remember who they were instead of who they are now. Take a moment alone to cry when you need to, and realize you may need it more than you allow. That is where distance has become a friend. Just for a few days when things are super ugly you minimize contact just until the current rage calms a bit. Then you get a few days of someone close to who they should be. Oh for those few days!

Faith and God are the strongholds, along with family. Staying strong as a family even though this loved one may be trying desperately to tear you apart in order to bolster their delusional beliefs is a major key. Support one another and your dementia patient as best as you can. You will need each other as this progresses. Sometimes sharing your experiences about the situation is the best way to release stress and gain a hold in the moment.

Pray without ceasing. Pray for comfort, strength, peace and love. But above all pray for help through God’s wisdom as to how to proceed and confront each situation as it comes. Pray for the Holy Spirit to intercede on your behalf, guiding your thoughts, words and deeds while working with this person and your involved family. Pray for peace and joy in each day amidst the storms and the power to recognize the blessings that are still there.

Lastly, take a walk. Look to God’s glorious and beautiful world to show you there is still wonder and beauty to be had. Then fill your soul with it every chance you get, especially in between the gathering storms, so that His inner peace might lead you. This is appropriate for all life’s trials.


Three Schools Tested At WSMR Saturday After Which The SystemsGo Rockets 2024 Season Called Mission Complete

Alamo Heights, Brazoswood and Union Grove tested rockets at White Sands Missile Range today.  WSMR had SystemsGo on a tight schedule this year. Concerns that in upcoming years when more schools join the program, time may become even more of a factor for the range, so they tested SystemsGo out on a very vigorous schedule. It meant that two rockets had to be loaded on the rails before we left the range yesterday on set up day. The third had to be ready to swap out as soon as the first two were tested.

We had an 8:00 a.m. slot for the first T-time. Range time began at 7:00 a.m. The team was wheels rolling at 5:00  a.m. The school were dropped off at Tula G along the way, where they watched the launches on live feed. The SystemsGo team arrived at ABC-1 at 6:05.

Alamo Heights was fueled and ready for launch at 7:30. The rail and fuel teams evac’d 5 miles out on the range to watch the launch from the road. Rebekah and George readied the rocket for fire and  evac’d to the “bell” (tiny metal launch bunker) and coordinated with WSMR for count down and launch.

Alamo Height’s rocket left the rail at 8:00a.m. right on schedule to start the day. It traveled an estimated few thousand feet up, then rolled over and returned to the range. WSMR had eyes on it immediately and went to recover. It was fully recovered. It had separated into nosecone, body and engine case, but it was mostly intact with only real damage where the engine casing had separated from the body.

The only picture after recovery I could get is the one shown below of Alamo’s burnt weld cap.

resized_resized_20240615_145650-1

Union Grove was on the second rail. It was fueled and ready by 8:50 a.m. The same evac process for the Team was followed and ignition was at exactly 9:00 a.m. which was aslo on schedule. Unfortunately, it ended in a hang fire. When we could return to the pad, it appeared that the ignition had burned through the injection wire and hoses, inspite of the kevlar braided sleave on the injection wire. Ice was still melting off the tank from residual nitrous. The rail was lowered and the rocket left in place to cool.

Brazoswood students were brought in from Tula G to load thier rocket on the first rail and take team pictures. Then they were escorted back to Tula G to await their launch and watch. SystemsGo team worked quickly to get everything connected and the rocket fueled to meet an 11:00 a.m. T-time for this vehicle to test. We were alotted a 2 hour window for this one since the rocket had to be brought up and loaded on the rail and all systems reconnected.

At 10:45 Brazoswood fueling was halted. Their vent was not working properly and therefore it resisted not further fueling. It was decided to launch with what we could had loaded. At 11:00 a.m. Brazoswood lifted off  the rail, banked a hard left and nosed dived into the range about 200 yards behind the pad. WSMR was also able to recover most of the vehicle. Later is was determined that the cameras were no longer on baord. Team members were allowed to follow WSMR personnel to the site to look for them but they were not found.

Brazoswood sent these after photos of the students trying to diagnose their rocket’s launch issues post recovery:

img_2592img_2588

As soon as WSMR determined the pad was again safe, they called for the SG team and schools to return to the site for tear down. We stopped for lunch at this time, and were back on the pad tearing down by 11:48 a.m. We had the entire site packed up by 1:30 p.m.

Rebekah did a presentation to the Union Grove team for their Oberth rocket during the spring season. They had made 1.05 Mach and fully recovered the vehicle intact under chute. Next she thanked Collin Lange, of Alamo Heights and Greg Park, of Union Grove for all their dedicated years of teaching the program. Both are retiring and this is their final launch as their program’s teachers. Last but never least she thanked all the WSMR personnel for all their hard work and support again this year and gave them caps, shirts and space pens.

When presentations were complete, all the teams took photos in front of the old resident tank, fascilitated by Chris, our WSMR Doc Photo. Then Mission was called complete and it was wheels rolling off the range at 2:03 p.m. We met the perameters WSMR set this year and all parties were satisfied.

On our journey back to the hotel we took a few small excursions. First we stoopped at Pistachio Land, home of the world’s largest pistachio, and shopped for a bit. Next we went to Caliche’s Frozen Custard and got ice creams for the whole team. When we finished there we took a driving toor back behind the park and by the old saw mill because Rebekah had spied a rocket from the highway. After an interesting tour around the sawmill on an old dirt road, we found the stortage yard for The Museum of Space History where we did indeed find several old rocket relics. If you follow me for the small rockets you know I have a Facebook page where I generally post pictures. I will post the link here and you can see what we found if you would like to see them:

https://www.facebook.com/ginger.burow

The SystemsGo team capped off the evening with dinner at Johnny Crinos’s Italian Restaurant and then called it a day.

 One quick side note, we did see one Oryx this year on our way in to the range this morning. He stood there watching us posing as he knew we couldn’t even take his picture.

Tomorrow will be a good breakfast at 6:00 a.m. and then on the road back to Texas!

WSMR concludes another successful year of launches that begain with Jal, NM, Jacksoboro, Anahuac/Smith Point , and Willow City. The group helped test 169 Tchaikovsky and Oberth rockets and 3 Goddard level rockets for the Rockets 2024 season.

Now the volunteer staff returns to their daily lives and the SystemsGo team transitions into program updates, new teacher training begins with more schools, teachers, students and rockets. It won’t be long and “launch season” will be back again with Rockets 2025. Next year’s season will begin again  with spring launches in Jal, New Mexico,  NTX-Jacksboro, SETX-Anahua/Smith Point, CTX-Stonewall, and White Sands Missile Range. It should prove to be another exciting year.

Watch for Spring dates to be announced in late fall, so you can begin planning to watch. Until then, keep your Eyes On The Sky! See you next year!

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.

#Rockets2024 #TexasRocketTrail #EyesonTheSkies #Ridetheskies #ItisRocketScience

ROCKETS 2024 Season, Spring Launch Sequence Begins Tomorrow!!!!!

SystemsGo Rockets 2024 is in it’s final hours of prep before the first launch with T-0 set for early Tuesday morning in Jal, New Mexico. After launches on Tuesday and Wednesday in Jal, action will transition to the second venue in Jacksboro, TX for the Northeast Texas Launches on Friday and Saturday. Central Texas Launches are third on the docket and will open in Stonewall the first week in May on Thursday through Saturday, and Smith Point will host the Southeast Texas Launches on Friday and  Saturday of the second week in May, concluding the 2024 Spring Launch series.

Necessities and logistics for all  Texas and New Mexico launch venues have been established. Travel  and accommodation plans are also lined out, and the Team is ready.

Things that will be available onsite this year:

  1. Concessions  (menus may be limited.)
    1. We encourage bringing your own 10×10 pop up for extra shelter from weather be it sun or rain.
  2. Hand washing stations and portable restrooms.
  3. A Livestream link from all Texas launches. Available online at https://www.systemsgo.org/events/ The correct link will be listed under each venue information section.
  4. A Google map link directing you to the launch site and the individual Stages is available at https://www.systemsgo.org/events/

Here are a couple of things that SystemsGo requires for your attendance:

  1. Any member of the public wishing to attend a launch is required to register online and agree to SystemsGo Terms and Conditions 2024. There is no charge, but proof of registration is required before entering the site.
  2. Ticket Links can be found https://www.systemsgo.org/events/ listed under each individual venue.

Questions and concerns may be directed to info@systemsgo.org.

Dates for all events except White Sands Missile Range are as follows:

  • Jal, New Mexico  — April 23-24
    • Phillips Hill Rd & County Rd 10, Jal NM 88252
  • North Texas/Jack County — April 26-27,  weather contingency day on the 28th
    • FM 2210 W and Gowan Ranch Lane, Jacksboro, TX 76458
  • Central Texas/Stonewall — May 2-4,  weather contingency day on May 5th
    • 2187 Double Horn Road, Stonewall, Texas 78671
  • Southeast Texas/Smith Point — May 10-11,  weather contingency day May 12th
    • 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
  • WSMR – Late June, final dates TBD

Eleven schools will launch in Jal, and a total of 36 schools in the three Texas launches, which brings the grand total of schools to 47. A total of 169  rockets will be tested between the Texas and New Mexico launches for this 2024 Rocket season.

All Spring sites will be open to public viewing of launches. However, if you plan to attend any of these launches, please register for your attendance ticket ahead of time. You must also agree to the waiver acknowledging that you are entering a test site on an unimproved ranchland, launching area with student designed and built, previously untested, experimental rockets.

The sites will be open for admittance to the general public at 8:00 a.m. and launches will commence as soon as the first rockets complete all Stages and are cleared for launch.  Rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch. Come join in the action and cheer on these students. Admission is free, but the look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered, is far from priceless.

Stage 1 and Stage 2 check stations will start admitting students and teachers at 6:00 a.m.

Stay tuned for more updates as events get closer. More changes may be announced as plans and arrangements are completely finalized. Rockets will #RideTheSkies in just under two weeks.  Welcome back to the SystemsGo Rocket Trail, we will see you at lift off!

Event details will continue to be available here.

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 supremely enhanced.

Hope to see you at the launches!

#RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2024 #SystemsGoRoocketTrail #TXNMRockets2024

 

Rockets 2023-WSMR, Saturday Launch Day Report and Mission Complete with Accolades

Three schools tested rockets at White Sands Missile Range today. Brazoswood,  Alamo Heights and Union Grove comprised.

Our first T time was at 8:15 a.m. with Union Grove was the rail ready for launch. Ignition was a go, but unfortunately the nitrous valve did not function properly causing the rocket to burn up on the rail. The vehicle sat burning on the rail for around 30 minutes causing unrepairable damage to the rocket, as it melted through the aluminum body at the aft section. The motor bay broke away from the body, tilting forward, allowing the long body section to fall into it but still all remained on the rail. It had to be extinguished a couple of times and then left to cool until after the next rocket had launched.

Alamo Heights loaded onto the rail next. At 11:15 a.m. they achieved a successful launch in spite of their vent nozzle staying open allowing full vent during fill and launch. Their vehicle was supposed to be fitted with an internal vent flow that would have allowed it to regulate its own vent throughout the whole fill and launch correctly instead of SG having to manually vent, but he believed the students had forgotten to install it. Either way, they had a wonderful flight reaching an altitude of 23,000 AGL. This is one of their best flights in a long while.

Brazoswood was the final launch of the day at around 1:15 p.m.. This year’s launch was nothing short of amazing as well. They made 28,000 AGL, leaving a trail that could be followed in the sky for quite a while. High level winds made it to angel into the wind which caused a loss in some altitude. One of their students set tracking computers using satelites to find and follow the vehicle and mark it’s speed. His preliminary findings suggested the rocket came down under chute, and it actually did. This is a new first. There was one nose cone in 2019 that came down under chute but this accomplished all chutes deploying and all pieces recovered by WSMR today. Great job on that recovery system students.

At 3:30 p.m. WSMR called called everyone in for lunch as they cooked hamburgers and hotdogs for the teams and work crews. The SG teams stopped dismantling the launch pad and joined in for lunch, after which we continued our work, completing tear down and pack up by 4:00 p.m.

Test Center Commander, Colonel Smart, was originally scheduled to be onsite today, but a scheduling conflict made that impossible. However Lori Leyva and her crews were there supporting the launched and so before we left, Rebekah made presentations of certificates to Lori and also Chris Madsen, along with t-shirts and caps to them and all there crew members.

It was most definitely a beautiful launch set this year at WSMR. Great job schools!

Mission was called complete by WSMR at 4:50 p.m. today and all teams and schools pulled away from the site.

Our first stop this evening was for a shower to remove all the dirt devil dust it covered us in multiple times, followed by dinner at Si Senor’s Mexican Food, and a sunset trip to the White Sands Monument Dunes for a quick slide in the light of a red orange sky and the sun dropped quickly behind the horizon.

Tomorrow’s schedule will be a call to load and head home, starting on the road by 8:00 a.m.

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.

#Rockets2023 #TexasRocketTrail #EyesonTheSkies #Ridetheskies #ItisRocketScience #TexasToNewMexicoRocketTrail

ROCKETS 2023 Season, Spring Launch Sequence Begins Next Week

SystemsGo Rockets 2023 is counting down to its first launch with T-0 set for early Monday morning in Jal, New Mexico. After launches on Monday and Tuesday in Jal, action will transition to the second venue in Jacksboro, TX for the Northeast Texas Launches on Thursday and Friday. Central Texas Launches are third on the docket and will open in Stonewall the first week in May on Thursday through Saturday, and Smith Point will host the Southeast Texas Launches on Thursday through Saturday of the second week in May, concluding the 2023 Spring Launch series the Tsiolkovsky and Oberth levels. The fifth and final launch for the Season is the Goddard level at White Sands Missile Range, in New Mexico.

Necessities and logistics for all  Texas and New Mexico launch venues have been established. Travel  and accommodation plans are also lined out, and the Team is ready.

Things that will be available onsite this year:

  1. Concessions  (menus may be limited.)
  2. 1 Large Spectator Tent (NTX and CTX only.)
    1. We encourage bringing your own 10×10 pop up for extra shelter from weather be it sun or rain.
  3. Hand washing stations and portable restrooms.
  4. A Livestream link from all Texas launches. Available online at https://www.systemsgo.org/events/ The correct link will be listed under each venue information section.
  5. A Google map link directing you to the launch site and the individual Stages available at https://www.systemsgo.org/events/

Here are a couple of things that SystemsGo requires for your attendance:

  1. Any member of the public wishing to attend a launch is required to register online and agree to SystemsGo Terms and Conditions 2023. There is no charge, but proof of registration is required before entering the site.
  2. Ticket Links can be found https://www.systemsgo.org/events/ listed under each individual venue.

Questions and concerns may be directed to info@systemsgo.org.

Dates for all events except White Sands Missile Range are as follows:

  • Jal, New Mexico  — April 24-26
    • Phillips Hill Rd & County Rd 10, Jal NM 88252
  • North Texas/Jack County — April 27-28,  weather contingency day on the 29th
    • FM 2210 W and Gowan Ranch Lane, Jacksboro, TX 76458
  • Central Texas/Stonewall — May 4-6,  weather contingency day on May 7th
    • 2187 Double Horn Road, Stonewall, Texas 78671
  • Southeast Texas/Smith Point — May 11-13,  weather contingency day May 14th
    • 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
  • WSMR – Late June, final dates TBD

With 13 schools launching in Jal, and a total of 38 schools in the three Texas launches, which brings the grand total of schools to 51. Add testing 145 rockets at the Texas launches to Jal’s 28 and 142 rockets will #RideTheSkies for this 2023 Rocket season.

Later in the summer, four Texas schools are currently on the roster to attempt a possible 4 rockets at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, completing the fifth launch and finalizing the season.

All sites will be open to public viewing of launches except White Sands Missile Range. However, if you plan to attend any of these launches, please register for your attendance ticket ahead of time. You must also agree to the waiver acknowledging that you are entering a test site on an unimproved ranchland, launching area with student designed and built, previously untested, experimental rockets.

The sites will be open for admittance to the general public at 8:00 a.m. and launches will commence as soon as the first rockets complete all Stages and are cleared for launch.  Rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch. Come join in the action and cheer on these students. Admission is free, but the look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered, is far from priceless.

Stage 1 and Stage 2 check stations will start admitting students and teachers at 6:00 a.m.

Stay tuned for more updates as events get closer. More changes may be announced as plans and arrangements are completely finalized. Rockets will #RideTheSkies in just under two weeks.  Welcome back to the SystemsGo Rocket Trail, we will see you at lift off!

Event details will continue to be available here.

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 supremely enhanced.

Hope to see you at the launches!

#RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2023 #SystemsGoRoocketTrail #TXNMRockets2023

 

Rockets 2022-SystemsGo at WSMR Sets a New Altitude Record with Brazoswood High School!!!

Two  rockets were up for testing at White  Sands Missile Range today. Fredericksburg and Brazoswood compromised the schedule. It was another early morning with meet time at the WSMR Rt 21 gate at 5:00 am.

A mishap while driving through the range created the first delay for our day. The Fredericksburg truck and trailer had an unfortunate meeting with an Oryx antelope while traveling  along with the convoy headed over to ABC -1. Luckily the damage to the truck was very minimal, mostly a couple of cracks in the left front bumper, but the Oryx did not fair as well. WSMR personnel stayed with the vehicle and the animal until authorities arrived to retrieve the animal and document the incident.

The rest of the group traveled on to the site and readied Brazoswood for launch. The accident and another unforeseen range event created an hour delay on our first T time for the day. Once all personnel were on site and the launch sequence started the day changed for the better.

Brazoswood was first up and had been loaded onto the rail the evening before, so it was just a matter of connecting the systems and doing prechecks. At 9:05 they launched and became the brand new WSMR SystemsGo altitude record holders. At first the rocket seemed a little slow in ascent, but then it literally screamed into the sky, sailing higher and higher. It eventually it left a contrail behind it which made it much easier to track. It was confirmed at an altitude of 49,523 MSL before nosing over and beginning it’s decent.  The range has a sea level of 4,000 feet which is deducted from the total altitude to figure the actual altitude, setting it at 45,523 feet, which is still the record for the program.

The chute did not deploy so it became a lawn dart about 4 kilometers down range. Chris Gardner took a couple of our support crew and they  went to dig it out. It was found and returned to the team.

The previous record held by Fredericksburg was 36,500 feet. This puts Brazoswood in the lead for  best launch and highest altitude. The program just dropped it’s height ceiling to 50,000 feet last year to accommodate changes in the range site we use at WSMR. The old ceiling was 100,000 feet which no one had even gotten close to reaching. Ironically Brazoswood almost broke the new ceiling with this launch.

Fredericksburg was the second launch of the day, and it was the second attempt for them to launch on this trip. At their first attempt yesterday, both the ignition and injection failed. After trouble shooting the problem and correcting it over night, they loaded up for a second chance. This time the rocket did leave the rail, but did not get much altitude before nosing over and returning to the ground about 25 yards behind the pad, where the impact popped off the nose cone and the engine compartment. The body of the vehicle continued north across the range for about 230 yards where it came to rest intact. All pieces were easily recovered and returned to the students. The students were excited that it left the rail and they were taking it home.

Fredericksburg and Brazoswood students helped pack up the pad site. After completion, Scott and Rebekah congratulated the two remaining teams on their successes and then introduced and spoke about the WSMR support team, explaining to the students all this group does so that all the students can get access to the range to test their rockets. Scott presented each team member with a SytemsGo cap as an appreciation for all their help and support.

At this point WSMR had released our airspace after Fredericksburg’s launch and now they called “mission complete” for the final time for Rockets 2022 at White Sands Missile Range.

Thanks to White Sands Missile Range for once again allowing this program to be tested on the range.

The schools and SystemsGo team members all headed back to the hotel for the evening. Fredericksburg’s group headed to eat and then slide at the White Sands Monument National Park. The eight SystemsGo team members grilled supper in the hotel court yard, played corn hole, 42 dominoes, debriefed, and just relaxed for the evening.

Tomorrow the SystemsGo team will be traveling home again. A much needed break for most is in the schedule. Afterwards, Scott Netherland, will be retiring from his post as Executive Director, and Rebekah Hyatt, will move into that role, and George Burns, will officially take on her current role as Program Director.

Rockets 2022 is officially at an end. We will see you again next year for the Texas Rocket Trail 2023. In the upcoming year watch for interesting high lights from the program. New things are happening all the time including the adding of new schools, states and countries in the program.

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.

#Rockets2021 #TexasRocketTrail #EyesonTheSkies #Ridetheskies #ItisRocketScience

Rockets 2022-WSMR, Saturday Launch Day Report

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
    1. Contingency Launch Day (Two Rockets, if possible, at 2-hour intervals.)
    2. Depart from WSMR Rt 21 gate by 5:00 a.m. for 6:30 a.m. arrival on site.
    3. 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.

#Rockets2022 #TexasRocketTrail #EyesonTheSkies #Ridetheskies #ItisRocketScience

ROCKETS 2022, Riding the Skies From Five Spring Launch Locations

SystemsGo Rockets 2022 is already in full swing. Launches begin in less than two weeks. Necessities and logistics for all  Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado launch venues have been established. Travel plans were also lined out.

Colorado is a new addition for this year. Last year, Canon City, came to Stonewall as a new school, launching for their first time. This year SystemsGo is launching in Colorado at a new venue –  Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. Canon City is still the only school launching but other schools will come to see it in action as they evaluate joining the program.

Things are returning to normal for the spring launches:

1. There will be onsite concessions again this year at each location.

2. We will have a spectator tent at the NTX and CTX events available to viewing public. We do still encourage schools to bring their own extra shelters (10×10) and to be courteous to all participants  respecting those still practicing social distancing since there is still some COVID activity.

3. Any member of the public wishing to attend a launch is required to register online and agree to SystemsGo Terms and Conditions 2022. There is no charge, but proof of registration is required before entering the site. Ticket Links can be found https://www.systemsgo.org/events/ listed under each individual venue.

4. Face coverings are not required, but optional. 

5. There will also be handwashing stations and portable restrooms available.

6. Google Map links to each location are also available and listed under the venue at https://www.systemsgo.org/events/

7. A livestream link will be announced on this same information page under the individual event’s section closer to time.

Questions and concerns may be directed to info@systemsgo.org.

Dates for all events except White Sands Missile Range are as follows:

  • Jal, New Mexico  — April 26-28, weather contingency day on the 29th
    • Phillips Hill Rd & County Rd 10, Jal NM 88252
  • North Texas/Jack County — April 28-29,  weather contingency day on the 30th
    • FM 2210 W and Gowan Ranch Lane, Jacksboro, TX 76458
  • U.S. Army Fort Carson Colorado, Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site — May 2
    • 36086 U.S Highway 350, Model, Colorado 81059
  • Southeast Texas/Smith Point — May 5-7,  weather contingency day May 8
    • 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
  • Central Texas/Stonewall — May 12-14,  weather contingency day on May 15th
    • 2187 Double Horn Road, Stonewall, Texas 78671
  • WSMR – Late June, final dates TBD

Current schedules for launches show about 165 vehicles expected for launch at the spring launch sites.

Excitement is building and plans are under way. Stay tuned for more updates as events get closer. More changes may be announced as plans and arrangements are completely finalized. Rockets will #RideTheSkies in just under two weeks.  Welcome back to the SystemsGo Rocket Trail, we will see you at lift off!

Event details will continue to be available here.

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.

Hope to see you at the launches! #RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2022 #SystemsGoRoocketTrail #TXNMCORockets2022