Rockets 2026 opened today at the North Texas launch site in Jack county. Three schools were slated to test a total of 23 vehicles. Three schools attended but only 17 rockets arrived for testing.
Temperatures topped out at 86 today with bright sunshine and very little clouds. The day started with a substantial breeze but by late afternoon it stopped completely allowing the heat to really settle in.
They day started a little rough as the very first rocket launched found its way down on top of a spectator’s pickup causing some significant damage. This very same vehicle had just successfully pulled a school bus out of the mud behind Mission Control.
Of all the rockets that made it to the rails today, all left and flew well. Unfortunately this was not a good recovery system day. Most failed to deploy coming down ballistic or opened bur free tumbling. Only a few came back under chute. Of those, Northstar Rocket #28 was one that had the ideal flight. They attempted a transonic launch and had a very successful run. All preliminary data suggests that not only did they fly well, have a successful recovery deployment, achieve Mach 1, and come back fully intact, but they may have just qualified for a banner. After final analysis of their data that determination will be made.
Joyce Abbey and I had a very busy day in the Media department, taking pictures and interviewing students about their rockets before and after launches. The character and intelligence of these student teams was truly amazing. The excitement the exhibited as they spoke about their rockets, what their jobs were on the team, what they learned, the challenges they faced, and how they grew as a team, brought a genuine smile.
Payloads were an interestin topic with the students today. There were a host of different things used to make that one pound requirement. Some admitted that their original object didn’t make the weight so additional things were added to bring it up. There were water bottles, glitter bombs, batteries, orbies, cameras, bb’s and coffee beans, water, oil, bath bombs, a giger counter, and an honorary picture of a school janiter that had recently passed.
Our three recovery teams had a good day, as they were able to recover 15 out 17 rockets, or at least a substantial part of them. Some pieces will be brought in tomorrow to complete rockets that only retrieved the body or chute and nose cone. Fortunately, that was only a few, most came back intact.
Tomorrow’s original schedule shows 4 schools and 21 rockets.
Pictures from the progress at the site to this point 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
Restrooms and wash stations are available at the launch site, provided by Mobile Thrones. Teachers, spectators and students are encouraged to bring pop up tents (10×10) for extra shelter during the day. Please remember sunscreen, chairs, umbrellas, food, extra snacks, and drinks for your group . Concessions are not availble this year.
Please be courteous and clean up after yourselves and the members of your group. 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.
Below the site information, including map links, schools, flight schedule, livestream link and recovery map link are listed for your convenience.
North Texas/Jack County:
- Friday, April 25
- Launch Site: FM 2210 W and Gowan Ranch Lane, Jacksboro, TX 76458
Look for the signs, for Stages 1 and 2, and Event parking. - North Texas-Jack County 2026 Flight Schedule link shown below.
- North Texas
NTX Check In / Stage 1 and 2
NTX Mission Control / Launch Site
Saturday’s Schedule.
- Schools participating: Northstar HS, BCTAL, Buinger HS, Hollenstein HS, Petrolia HS, Gary HS, and Ranchview HS
- 14 rockets expected for testing.
- Livestream link at available at www.systemsgo.org for each day.
- Rockets 2026 Live Stream
- New for this year, a recovery map link will be available for the schools to see pictures uploaded by recovery teams showing where and how their rockets were recovered. 2026 Recovered Rockets Data
Here are a couple of things that SystemsGo requires for your attendance:
- Any member of the public wishing to attend a launch is required to register online and agree to Launch Day Entry Form / Waiver
Scan or Click
There is no charge, but proof of registration is required before entering the site. You will be issued arm bands as proof and you must have them on at all times. - All information can be found https://www.systemsgo.org
Questions and concerns may be directed to info@systemsgo.org.
If you follow the rocket program join us again tomorrow for Rockets 2026, Day 2 in Jacksboro.
If you cannot attend in person, join in the action and cheer on your students on the Livestream. The link is provided above and on the SystemsGo home page. The look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered, is beyond priceless. If they know you are watching and supporting them, that makes it mean so much more. Shoot them a text, or iMessage letting them know you are watching online. You can also join in on the live chat next to the Live Stream feed on YouTube. The upcoming launches in Central Texas/Stonewall and Southeast Texas/Smith Point may also be followed and viewed on this same Livestream link.
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 #Rockets2026 #SystemsGoRocketTrail #TexasRocketTrail #EyesToTheSkies
On the Wings of Angels 