Category: Stonewall Texas

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, Saturday, May 3, Central Texas/Stonewall Final Day Launch Report

Rockets 2025, Central Texas/Stonewall Edition, continued today. The original schedule listed 11 rockets for today tested by two schools. 13 rockets were hold overs from yesterday’s weather delay, so that upped our total for the day to 24.

The team and volunteers started at 7:30 this morning and the pad was loaded and began launching at 8:29. The flow of rockets to the rails continued steadily throughout the day with the final rocket of the rail by 6:35 this evening. We had clear blue skies and a nice breeze all day which meant no weather delays.

At the event today, Executive Program Director, Rebekah Hyatt and Program Director, George Burns, presented the 2025 Gene Garrett Scholarship to a student from Fredericksburg High School, Emmitt Harper.

img_3681

Yesterday in this blog I wrote about a new school at the event this year from Mustang High School in Oklahoma. They were able to successfully test their rocket. It left the rail sailing high and well. However their chute didn’t depoly completely so it had a semi ballistic landing and their altimeter bay was lost leaving them unable to analyze their flight data. Non the less they are super excited about the successs that they had and look forward to next year. They plan to display their rocket pieces and use it to encourage future classes as well as additional schools in Oklahoma to consider being a part of the SystemsGo program. They all agreed they learned more from the program than they could have imagined. Their rocket’s lift off is the cover photo for today’s blog.

After the completion of this weekend’s launches the Texas Rocket Trail will move to Smith Point in Anahuac, down in the Houston area for the final leg of the season before the spring launches end for another year. Those launches begin Friday, May 8.

Pictures from the day’s events are on SystemsGo Facebook page, as well as my Facebook page. They can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/SystemsGoEducation/

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

The look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered is priceless. If they know you are watching and supporting them, then it is even more memorable. If you are not on site, then shoot them a text, letting them know you are watching online.

More details will be available here each day. Reports featuring schedules, school names, pictures, and editorial content will be posted during the events if information is available.

Please watch the SystemsGo website, SystemsGo Facebook page,  SystemsGo Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/SystemsGoNews and this blog for upcoming information on these events.

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. Your students’ futures will benefit.

Hope to see you at the launches!

#RideTheSkies #TexasRocketTrail #Rockets2025 #EyesToTheSkies

Rockets 2025, Friday, May 2, Central Texas/Stonewall Weather Delayed Launch Report

Rockets 2025, Central Texas/Stonewall Edition, continued today. The original schedule listed 23 rockets for today. A combination of issues on the pad and rain later in the day slowed progress. Early on it was rockets returning to Mission Control to trouble shoot issues. But by 4:00 this afternoon rain was moving in causing first a few short delays, and then later a permanent shut down of launches. Some schools are returning to watch them launch, while others elected to leave and watch their launches on Livestream.

One school returning tomorrow, Mustang High School from Oklahoma.This is their first year, and the class is still a pilot program at the school but is fast gaining support and recognition. They hope their rocket flies well and they get it back so it can be used to encourage the program at their school. The team and teacher, Gary Knowles, were all energetic and excited about their project. They pruposely booked an extra night just to be sure they would get the opportunity to see their vehicle fly.

Below the group works through their FRR at Stage 1 hoping to clear by the end of the day. They were down 3 pertinent team member so they lead engineer was taking on the role of trouble shooting each point on the paperwork. Their teacher, Gary Knowles, said he was doing an amazing job of thinking things through, but that he definitely had a different style of reasoning than the leads on some areas of the project. He was very proud to see how well they were all pulling together to get things accomplished.

This year, this class was a pilot program for the school and even shared class space and time with the Aviation class. He believes it has proven itself and will get a dedicated hour for class and space all it’s own. He says he is really behind the program and what it teaches, and his students agree. Good luck tomorrow, Mustangs!

After the completion of this weekend’s launches tomorrow, the Texas Rocket Trail will move to Smith Point in Anahuac, down in the Houston area for the final leg of the season before the spring launches end for another year.

Pictures from the day’s events are on SystemsGo Facebook page, as well as my Facebook page. They can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/SystemsGoEducation/

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

Tomorrow’s launches will continue at the Sammy Segner Ranch on Double Horn Road with Stages 1 and 2 will be at the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce building.

Restrooms and wash stations will be provided at the launch site. Spectators are welcomed this year. Teachers are asked to bring pop-up tents for themselves and their students. Please remember sunscreen, chairs, umbrellas, extra snacks, drinks, and food. Downtime entertainment for the students to engage in between launches may also be helpful.

The look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered is priceless. If they know you are watching and supporting them, then it is even more memorable. If you are not on site, then shoot them a text, letting them know you are watching online.

The Central Texas/Stonewall launch dates, Livestream links and schools are also listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

Central Texas/Stonewall:

  • Saturday, May 3, 2025
  • Launch Site: 2187 Double Horn Road, Stonewall, Texas 78671
  • Stage 1 & 2 at Stonewall Chamber of Commerce: 250 Peach Street, Stonewall, TX 78671
  • Schools participating this year in Stonewall: Fredericksburg HS, Johnson HS, Hamilton HS, Kingwood HS, Roosevelt HS, Atascocita HS, Victoria East HS, Victoria West, Harleton HS, London HS, Alamo Heights HS, Union Grove HS, Canon City HS, Brazoswood HS, Future Ready Complex, Mustang HS
  • 11 rockets are slated for testing on Saturday, with an additional 13 from Friday.
  • A Livestream for each launch will be provided here:
  • CTX Stream May 3
  • And will be available at www.systemsgo.org on the Events page each day.

The sites will be open to admittance for students and teachers only at 6:00 a.m. Projected start time for launches is 7:30 a.m. All is contingent on test vehicle readiness and ability to pass Stages 1 and 2. Mission Control will be ready for Stage 3 checks by 7:30 a.m.

More details will be available here each day. Reports featuring schedules, school names, pictures, and editorial content will be posted during the events if information is available.

Please watch the SystemsGo website, SystemsGo Facebook page,  SystemsGo Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/SystemsGoNews and this blog for upcoming information on these events.

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. Your students’ futures will benefit.

Hope to see you at the launches!

#RideTheSkies #TexasRocketTrail #Rockets2025 #EyesToTheSkies

Rockets 2025, Thursday, May 1, Central Texas/Stonewall Launch Report

Rockets 2025, Central Texas/Stonewall Edition, began today. The original schedule listed 20 rockets for today launched by 6 schools. Of those, 19 were successfully tested today. All were good flights, some lacked deployment of chutes. Quite a few were successfully recovered, though some will need to be searched for tomorrow while retrieving new launches.

The site took on a new look this year as they moved the pad 90 degrees to face east andthe MC to face west toward it. This was oriented to attempt to keep more of the rockets on the Segner and Weinheimer ranches for easier and faster recovery. It also helped with the evening sun in Mission Control and the Media tents.

All rockets were tested by 6:40 and the site secured for the evening as storms are predicted for over night in the area. Eleven team members congregated at Campo Azul for dinner after launches and then headed home for much needed rest before staring tomorrow’s session.

The concesstion trailer is for this year’s CTX Rocket event is run by Toothless BBQ from Stonewall, Texas.

Their main menu included turkey legs, pulled pork sandwiches, sausage sandwiches, sausage on a stick, and loaded mac-n-cheese.

Tomorrow 23 rockets are on the schedule, built by 8 different schools.

Pictures from the day’s events are on SystemsGo Facebook page, as well as my Facebook page. They can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/SystemsGoEducation/

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

Tomorrow’s launches will continue at the Sammy Segner Ranch on Double Horn Road with Stages 1 and 2 will be at the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce building.

Restrooms and wash stations will be available at the launch site. They are provided again this year by Duane Neffendorf and Hill Country Pump Service.

Some of this year’s sponsors at CTX Rockets are Adam R. Scripps, Vogel Tractors and AMSAT Amateur Radio In Space.

Spectators are welcomed this year. Teachers are asked to bring pop-up tents for themselves and their students. Please remember sunscreen, chairs, umbrellas, extra snacks, drinks, and food. Downtime entertainment for the students to engage in between launches may also be helpful.

The look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered is priceless. If they know you are watching and supporting them, then it is even more memorable. If you are not on site, then shoot them a text, letting them know you are watching online.

The Central Texas/Stonewall launch dates, Livestream links and schools are also listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

Central Texas/Stonewall:

  • Friday, May 2, 2025
  • Launch Site: 2187 Double Horn Road, Stonewall, Texas 78671
  • Stage 1 & 2 at Stonewall Chamber of Commerce: 250 Peach Street, Stonewall, TX 78671
  • Central Texas-Stonewall 2025 Flight Schedule
  • Schools participating this year in Stonewall: Fredericksburg HS, Johnson HS, Hamilton HS, Kingwood HS, Roosevelt HS, Atascocita HS, Victoria East HS, Victoria West HS, Harleton HS, London HS, Alamo Heights HS, Union Grove HS, Canon City HS, Brazoswood HS, Future Ready Complex, Mustang HS
  • 11 more rockets are slated for testing on Saturday.
  • A Livestream for each launch is provided here:
  • CTX Stream May 2
  • And will be available at www.systemsgo.org on the Events page each day.

The sites will be open to admittance for students and teachers only at 6:00 a.m. Projected start time for launches is 9:00 a.m. All is contingent on test vehicle readiness and ability to pass Stages 1 and 2. Mission Control will be ready for Stage 3 checks by 8:00 a.m.

After the completion of this weekend’s launches, Saturday, the Texas Rocket Trail will move to Smith Point in Anahuac, down in the Houston area for the final leg of the season before the spring launches end for another year.

More details will be available here each day. Reports featuring schedules, school names, pictures, and editorial content will be posted during the events if information is available.

Please watch the SystemsGo website, SystemsGo Facebook page,  SystemsGo Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/SystemsGoNews and this blog for upcoming information on these events.

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. Your students’ futures will benefit.

Hope to see you at the launches!

#RideTheSkies #TexasRocketTrail #Rockets2025 #EyesToTheSkies

Rockets 2025 Continues with Central Texas/Stonewall Launches Starting Tomorrow, Thursday, May 1-Saturday, May 3, 2025

The Central Texas Launches sail into the skies over Stonewall, Texas starting tomorrow, May 1, 2025. This is the third in the series for the Rockets 2025 and the second in the Texas Rocket Trail lineup.

The SystemsGo Team spent several days early this week setting up the launch site at the Sammy Segner Ranch on the Double Horn Road. This included construction of the Pad and Mission Control and testing of the rails. Stage 3 inside MC, Media, and Communications were also part of this set up.

Class A Event Rentals arrived to set up tents for Mission Control, Media and spectators. Duane Neffendorf again provided portable restrooms and wash stations to the site. We have a new food trailer providing concessions for the weekend. As of yet, I have not been able to ascertain their name or menu. I will try to get that in on tomorrow’s update. Later LCRA, Bee Creek Communications and Starlink provide support for IT,  Internet WiFi and Radio communications.

Stages 1 and 2 rocket check in stations were also established at the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce building. Student Team tables were numbered for evaluations and last-minute corrections to the vehicles.

The Stonewall site covers the Fredericksburg and Hill Country area schools. Some of our North and South Texas schools still participate here, but most are encouraged to use the sites closest to them.

Currently there are 54 rockets scheduled for launch by 16 schools at the Stonewall location for Rockets 2025. This schedule may be updated this week with the possibility of schools adding or dropping close to launch time. 

Spectators are welcomed again this year. Teachers are encouraged to bring pop-up tents for themselves and their students. Please remember sunscreen, chairs, umbrellas, extra snacks, drinks, and food. Downtime entertainment for the students to engage in between launches may also be helpful. Rockets are subject to winds, weather, and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch, and delay schedules.

The Central Texas/Stonewall launch dates, locations, and schools are listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

Central Texas/Stonewall:

The sites will be open to admittance for students and teachers only at 6:00 a.m. Projected start time for launches is 9:00 a.m. All is contingent on test vehicle readiness and ability to pass Stages 1 and 2. Mission Control will be ready for Stage 3 checks by 8:00 a.m.

Rockets are subject to winds, weather, and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch. Please either join in the action on site or help cheer the students on while watching the  Livestream. The look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered is priceless. If they know you are watching and supporting them, then it is even more memorable. If you are not on site, then shoot them a text, letting them know you are watching online. 

A live feed for each launch will be provided here:

CTX Stream May 1

And the link is available at http://www.systemsgo.org on the Events page each day of the launch.

Daily reports featuring schedule links, school names, results, pictures, and editorial content will be posted during the events if information is available.

Pictures from each day are on SystemsGo Facebook page, as well as my Facebook page. They can be found here:

  • Thursday, May 1- Saturday, May 3, Weather Contingency Day-Sunday, May 4
  • Launch Site: 2187 Double Horn Road, Stonewall, Texas 78671
  • Stage 1 & 2 at Stonewall Chamber of Commerce: 250 Peach Street, Stonewall, TX 78671
  • Central Texas-Stonewall 2025 Flight Schedule
  • Schools participating: Fredericksburg HS, Kingwood HS,  Union Grove, Roosevelt HS, Harleton HS, Canyon City HS
  • 20 expected rockets for testing

https://www.facebook.com/SystemsGoEducation/

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

Please watch the SystemsGo website, SystemsGo Facebook page,  SystemsGo Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/SystemsGoNews and this blog for upcoming information on these events.

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 #Rockets2023 #EyesOnThe Skies #EyesToTheSkies

April 25, 2025, Rockets 2025 North Texas/Jacksboro Friday’s Final Launch Day Update

Friday, Day 2, the final day for North Texas Rockets 2025 launch series was mission complete by  this evening,  with all rockets launched by 6:57p.m. Twenty rockets from five different schools left the rails today. These schools included University HS, RL Turner HS, BCTAL, Buinger HS and one hold over from yesterday, from Hollenstein HS.

Weather for Friday was good with only partly cloudy for most of the day, but with a high ceiling. A threat of severe storms loomed in the area through the day, but never developed near the range.  

First launches blasted off shortly at 10:53 a.m. this morning.  After the first volley of three, the pad kept the rockets flying in a fairly continuous  set each time the rails were full .

Out of 20 rockets launched, only 6  were not recovered. Some flights were beautiful, and opened and came down under chute. Others went up and spiraled before blowing apart and landing scattered over the range. This made it a bit challenging for recovery teams to locate, but they did an amazing job. 

After Mission Complete the Team left the site to go find a decent dinner tonight at JR’s Chop House B & B  and the Butterfield Inn to crash for the night. Except me, I did not crash yet. I am still writing this article and will still post pictures to Facebook when I am done with this.

In the morning the crew will meat for breakfast at 7:00amat the Village Kitchen and then head back to the ranch to tear down the whole site and pack it away in the  cargo trailer for NTX until next year. After that we will all head home to prepare for the next sequence at the Central Texas/Stonewall launches this coming week,  May 1st through the 3rd. A contingency day is built into Sunday, May 4th if needed.

It has been a really long day, and traveling makes me tired so I best get my pictures posted so that I can get some much needed sleep as I am fighting staying awake to write this tonight. The rest of the SystemsGo team is alreay fast asleep. It is well deserved. They all worked really hard to make this a great event for the students and they will do it again soon, twice more.

Please also forgive me if there are any errors or editing faux pas in this article tonight. I have no one to preread or edit and my internal editor keeps falling asleep at the key board! I might have to fire her, or at the very least send her to bed soon!

Pictures are from today are on SystemsGo Facebook page, as well as my Facebook page. They can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/SystemsGoEducation/

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

North Texas was the second launch in the 2025 series, and is followed by launches in Central Texas/Stonewall and Southeast Texas/Smith Point. 

The launch dates, locations, and schools are always listed for your convenience at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

A live feed for each launch will be provided and will be available at www.systemsgo.org as each launch date arrives.

More event details will be available here in upcoming days as events get closer. Daily reports featuring schedule links, school names, results, pictures and some editorial content will be posted during the events if information is available.

Please watch the SystemsGo website, SystemsGo Facebook page,  SystemsGo Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/SystemsGoNews and this blog for upcoming information on theses events.

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, #EyesontheSkies #ItisRocketscience #SystemsGoRocketTrail #TexasRocketTrail#Rockets2025 #EyesToTheSkies

 

 

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!!

 

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:

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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, Friday, May 3, Central Texas/Stonewall Weather Weary Launch Report

Rockets 2024, Central Texas/Stonewall Edition, continued today. The original schedule listed 27 rockets for today. 23 were left from yesterday that were unable to launch due to weather. The plan had been to try to get some of yesterday’s off the rails while waiting for today’s to move through from Stage 1 to Stage 3. The weather again did not cooperate so when a launch opportunity finally opened up at 2:20 this afternoon we started with those who were present and ready from today’s docket.

The first volley consisted of 3 successful launches and recoveries. The next volley of 4 involved three from today and one, #68 from yesterday. All had beautiful flights, but unfortunately went unrecovered as 2 are believed to be on the Iron Game Ranch and 2 more on the Klein property across the road. We did not have permission to enter those properties today, but will later in the weekend and they may be recovered at that time.

Tomorrow only 7 rockets are on the schedule, but we still have 22 left from Thursday, and 17 left from today. That sets the grand total still to be launched to 46. Once again if we get better weather and an opening in the clouds before those 7 for tomorrow are ready, we will fill in the time with some of our holdovers from yesterday and today. If our 7 are ready when the sky is ready, then they are up first. Either way we will try to launch as many as weather permits tomorrow.

Program Director, Rebekah Hyatt has already made plans with teachers, volunteers(as available) and land owners to launch on Monday and Tuesday to try to get all vehicles tested if weather permits. Hopefully it does not come to that, but unfortunately the current weather reports are not in our favor. After tuesday the team has to transition to Anahuac/Smith Point for the SETX launches.

Test vehicles like these often push the time schedules all on their own. Vent hoses, o rings, altimeter switches, and a host of other issues can send a rocket on numerous trips from pad back to Stage 3 and back again. Weather, as we have all seen again this year effects the schedule as well. We have been under Severe weather watches all weekend, and the possibility is still there. It has not been on our side so far this weekend, let us hope tomorrow shows us a brighter day, will hold off the rain and lift the cloud ceiling until we are done. The team would like to call it complete and not go into one or maybe more days of contingency.

After the completion of this weekend’s launches be it tomorrow or later, the Texas Rocket Trail will move to Smith Point in Anahuac, down in the Houston area for the final leg of the season before the spring launches end for another year.

Pictures from the day’s events are on SystemsGo Facebook page, as well as my Facebook page. They can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/SystemsGoEducation/

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

Tomorrow’s launches will continue at the Sammy Segner Ranch on Double Horn Road with Stages 1 and 2 will be at the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce building.

Restrooms and wash stations will be provided at the launch site. Spectators are welcomed this year. Teachers are asked to bring pop-up tents for themselves and their students. Please remember sunscreen, chairs, umbrellas, extra snacks, drinks, and food. Downtime entertainment for the students to engage in between launches may also be helpful.

The look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered is priceless. If they know you are watching and supporting them, then it is even more memorable. If you are not on site, then shoot them a text, letting them know you are watching online.

The Central Texas/Stonewall launch dates, Livestream links and schools are also listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

Central Texas/Stonewall:

  • Saturday, May 4, 2024
  • Launch Site: 2187 Double Horn Road, Stonewall, Texas 78671
  • Stage 1 & 2 at Stonewall Chamber of Commerce: 250 Peach Street, Stonewall, TX 78671
  • Central Texas-Stonewall 2024 Flight Schedule
  • Saturday, May 4, 2024
  • School Name / Teacher 1/1 Trans
  • London                            
  • Toni Castle 1 2
  • Alamo Heights          
  • Colin Lang 2 2                        
  • 2   Schools Launching
  • Totals 3 4
  • Total Rockets 7
  • Schools participating this year in Stonewall: Fabens HS, Fredericksburg HS, Johnson HS, Hamilton HS, Kingwood HS, Marble Falls HS, Roosevelt HS, Georgetown HS, Atascocita HS, Victoria East HS, Harleton HS, London HS, New Tech Odessa HS, Alamo Heights HS, Union Grove HS, McGregor HS, Canon City HS
  • 15 rockets slated for testing on Saturday.
  • A Livestream for each launch will be provided and will be available at www.systemsgo.org on the Events page each day.

The sites will be open to admittance for students and teachers only at 6:00 a.m. Projected start time for launches is 10:00 a.m. All is contingent on test vehicle readiness and ability to pass Stages 1 and 2. Mission Control will be ready for Stage 3 checks by 8:00 a.m.

More details will be available here each day. Reports featuring schedules, school names, pictures, and editorial content will be posted during the events if information is available.

Please watch the SystemsGo website, SystemsGo Facebook page,  SystemsGo Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/SystemsGoNews and this blog for upcoming information on these events.

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. Your students’ futures will benefit.

Hope to see you at the launches!

#RideTheSkies #TexasRocketTrail #Rockets2024 #EyesToTheSkies

April 27, 2024, Rockets 2024 North Texas/Jacksboro Saturday Launch Update Final Day Report

Friday, Day 2, the final day for North Texas Rockets 2024 launch series was mission complete by  this afternoon, by  with all rockets launched by 5:35p.m. Seventeen rockets from six different schools left the rails today. These schools included University HS, RL Turner HS, Petrolia HS,  Northstar HS, and two hold overs from yesterday, one each from Hollenstein HS, and Carroll HS.

Weather for Friday was mostly cloudy for most of the day, but with a high ceiling. A threat of severe storms loomed in the area through the day.  The winds were high,  but only a small amount of drizzle crossed our range. Reports of large tornadoes, hail and heavy rain in the Wichita Falls, Munday and Electra areas were in late afternoon to early evening. 

First launches blasted off shortly after 11:25 this morning.  After the first volley, the pad kept the rockets flying in a fairly continuous  set each time the rails were full so that they could send all vehicles skyward before the storms could shut down flights.

Out of 17 rockets launched, only 3  were recoverable, most chose to disappear without a trace. The flights were beautiful, and most opened and came down under chute. The unfortunate aspect was that the high winds kept them flying high for too long and then dropping in the distance in waste high grass. This made for very difficult recovery. There were only two teams today. We worked grids in the areas the rockets were last seen but unfortunately came up empty more often than not this year. It was very frustrating for the teams as we like to find them and bring them back to the students as much as the students like to get them back. It just means there will be a lot of old rockets that may be found in up coming years. Unless of course the land owners locate them and return them to SystemsGo first.

The final rocket was launched at 5:35.After which the Team tore down the whole site and packed away in the new cargo trailer for NTX until next year. Unfortunately, this process took until right at 10:00pm. and then we all headed back to Jacksboro to JR’s Chop House B & B and the Butterfield Inn to crash for the night. Except me, I did not crash yet. I am still writing this article and will still post pictures to Facebook when I am done with this.

In the morning the crew will meat for breakfast at 8:00am and then head home to prepare for the next sequence at the Central Texas/Stonewall launches this coming week,  May 2nd through the 4th. A contingency day is built into Sunday, May 5th if needed.

Just an FYI, our live feed media expert, Phil Houseal, fell ill on us this weekend and had to leave the site. Therefore if you were trying to watch the Livefeed on Saturday you might have noticed it was not to be found. We are sorry for the inconvenience. We hope to have things up and running again by this coming weekend’s launch, as well as he is recovered.

It has been a really long day, and traveling makes me tired so I best get my pictures posted so that I can get some sleep. Much needed sleep. The rest of the SystemsGo team is alreay fast asleep. It is well deserved. They all worked really hard to make this a great event for the students and they will do it again soon, twice more.

Pictures are from today are on SystemsGo Facebook page, as well as my Facebook page. They can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/SystemsGoEducation/

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

North Texas was the second launch in the 2024 series, and is followed by launches in Central Texas/Stonewall and Southeast Texas/Smith Point. 

The launch dates, locations, and schools are always listed for your convenience at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

A live feed for each launch will be provided and will be available at www.systemsgo.org as each launch date arrives.

More event details will be available here in upcoming days as events get closer. Daily reports featuring schedule links, school names, results, pictures and some editorial content will be posted during the events if information is available.

Please watch the SystemsGo website, SystemsGo Facebook page,  SystemsGo Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/SystemsGoNews and this blog for upcoming information on theses events.

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, #EyesontheSkies #ItisRocketscience #SystemsGoRocketTrail #TexasRocketTrail#Rockets2024