Category: Travel

ROCKETS 2021, Riding the Skies of Education and Fun!

SystemsGo Rockets 2021 is already in full swing. The group met, February 5, to line out details for the upcoming spring launches.  In attendance were SystemsGo team members, Rebekah Hyatt, Program Director; Scott Netherland, Executive Director;  Doug Kimbrell, Board President; Tara Kitchens, Executive Assistant; with  Phil Houseal, Communications Director; Kirk Moore, Regional Director for Southeast Texas;  and Doug Underwood, Regional Director for North Texas joining on video. Also in attendance were volunteers, Steve Burow and Ginger Burow.

Necessities and logistics for all  Texas launch locations were discussed. Venues for lodging, and all needed equipment for each launch site were decided and individuals lined out, to secure them . Travel plans were also lined out. Bear in mind that due to COVID some things will be different. The following changes and requirements will be in place for spring launches:

1. There will not be onsite concessions. We will provide boxed lunches each day and of course water and sodas throughout the day for our volunteers. Schools are responsible for their own food.

2. We are not having spectator tents to reduce the opportunity for people to congregate. We are encouraging schools to bring their own shelter and chairs. We are asking that all participants practice social distancing.

3. Wristbands are required for all. We have limited participating teams to 3 students per team. (****This is correct at time of publication but may be changing with COVID restrictions lifting in some areas.) We have closed the event to any and all spectators. We must limit and control the number of people on site so we are requiring all to wear a wristband and will be monitoring that throughout the day.

4. Face coverings are required.

5. Temp checks – we will do temp checks each day upon arrival/check in at Stage 1.

6. We recommend that all volunteers over 65 be vaccinated. This is not mandatory, just suggested.

7. All toilet facilities will have disinfectant spray. We are asking that everyone use the spray before and after use. There will also be handwashing stations available.

All schools have been notified of this change. Questions and concerns may be directed to info@systemsgo.org.

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

  • New Mexico (Jal) — May 11-13th
  • North Texas (North of Mineral Well/Jack County) — April 22-23,  weather contingency day on the 24th
  • Central Texas (Stonewall) — April 29-May 1,  weather contingency day on May 2nd
  • Southeast Texas (Anahuac/Smith Point) — May 6-8,  weather contingency day May 9th
  • WSMR – TBD

Current schedules for launches show about 150 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 over two weeks.  Welcome back to the Texas 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 #Rockets2021

I Miss All Things Rockets!

I miss all things Rockets!
From travel to set up,
And set up to tear down;


There is not a memory I can call up,
That would make me frown.

I miss all things Rockets!
From the first vertical rail;


The first day’s engine roar;
Watching the first rocket sail,


To anticipating more.

I miss all things Rockets!
Listening for charges to pop,
Watching them float under chute,


Dancing on ethereal winds as they drop,
And searching for them like lost pirate loot.



I miss all things Rockets!
Pictures with the teams,


As their rocket loads the rail.
Hearing students scream,


As their vehicle begins to sail.

I miss all things Rockets!
Searching for a glint of light,
A high pitched whine you might here,
Or a flash of something bright,
Letting you know it is near.

I miss all things Rockets!
From a picture perfect flight


To a ballistic drop.

From racing to grab one in plain sight,
To searching by where you heard the pop.

I miss all things Rockets!
Whether watching the students,
Or listening to Joyce and Phil,


These are quite the events;
Even after years, I am a rocket junky still.

I miss all things Rockets!
From collecting rockets whole,


To picking up pieces;


Students’ smiles light my soul,
Each year the joy increases.

I miss all things Rockets!
It’s education in motion;
Learning with style;
Using hands on application,
Propelling the future all the while.

ROCKETS 2020 is Under Way!

SystemsGo Rockets 2020 is already in full swing. The group met, this past Friday, to line out details for the upcoming spring launches.  In attendance were SystemsGo team members, Rebekah Hyatt, Program Director; Scott Netherland, Executive Director; Gene Garrett, Board President; Doug Kimbrell, Board Vice President; Tara Kitchens, Executive Assistant;  Phil Houseal, Communications Director; with Kirk Moore, Regional Director for Southeast Texas;  and Doug Underwood, Regional Director for North Texas joining on video. Also in attendance were volunteers, George Burns, Jr., Steve Burow and Ginger Burow.

Necessities and logistics for all  Texas launch locations were discussed. Venues for lodging, and all needed equipment for each launch site were decided and individuals lined out to secure them . Travel plans were also lined out.

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

  • New Mexico (Jal) — April 21-22nd
  • North Texas (North of Mineral Well/Jack County) — April 24-25,  weather contingency day on the 26th
  • Central Texas (Stonewall) — April 30-May 1 & 2,  weather contingency day on May 3rd
  • Southeast Texas (Anahuac/Smith Point) — May 8, 9 &10,  weather contingency day May 11th

A note of importance for all schools this year is this change to launch equipment. The Closed Transonic Cage launch towers used in years past have been permanently retired. All rockets will be launched off the rail launch  towers. ALL rockets at ALL launch sites will need to be equipped with rail guides in order launch off these towers. Be sure all vehicles are properly equipped.  All schools have been notified of this change. Questions and concerns may be directed to info@systemsgo.org.

Current schedules for launches show a total of 189 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 about three months and this short piece is to put it back in mind so that all will be ready.

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 #Rockets2020

 

Sunday,Rockets 2019-Final Day at WSMR

Rockets 2019 at WSMR ended today much better than it began with two out of three rockets leaving the rail and achieving altitude. Fredericksburg High School, Anahuac High School, and Brazoswood High School all tested today. Brazoswood and Anahuac were each on their third attempt for the weekend.

Brazoswood was the top launch for the day and the final one ending the day on a high note. The 25’6″, 10″ diameter vehicle weighing in at 781 lbs fully fueled finally achieved lift off at 1:26 this afternoon after two prior unsuccessful attempts.

The rocket, named John Redden 1, after a senior member of the team that passed away of an aneurysm shortly before graduation, looked like fireworks at ignition as it blew Estes motors across the pad. Then it sailed skyward making a peak altitude of 12,859′ before nosing onto its side and sailing 5.1 miles down range to impact. The chute popped at impact.

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The first rocket to leave the rail today was “Panther 6”. Also on it’s third run for the weekend, the rocket built by Anahuac High School students, weighed in at 350 lbs, standing 23′ tall with an 8.6″ diameter. This vehicle had a “Rasberry Pi” GPS payload that a team of brothers designed and assembled. The older brother, 2018 graduate, Caleb Moore designed and 3D printed the plate to hold the payload, and the the younger, Joshua Moore, a 5th grader, assembled the GPS and did the soldering to connect it.

Panther 6 had a valve issue on the pad again today, but finally achieved lift off at 10:59 this morning. It made 1391′ traveling .3 miles down range before impact.

Both Anahuac and Brazoswood were very excited with their accomplishments. Brazoswood had hoped to break some of the standing records for height by other SystemsGo schools.  If that had happened, then student, Michael Bomar, who has a very full head of hair, and beard, had planned to allow his team mates to shave all hair from his head. Looks like he will be staying wild and woolly a while longer.

Fredericksburg’s Redbird #20 was the first test of the day, but did not leave the rail in flight. Shortly after ignition, as the vehicle began to ascend the rail, it exploded apart between the engine compartment and the main body of the rocket. The aft end stayed sitting on the load cell. The explosion blew the body to the right leaving it hanging from the rail by the top lug.  It was cocked off to the side at an angle just slightly above the end of the engine section.

This presented a challenge to the SystemsGo team and students to remove it from the rail. The students are still evaluating what casused the rocket’s accident.  When Mr. Matthes was asked what happened, he answered that it was no short answer but many factors that contributed and some were still being discussed.

Seven schools traveled to WSMR this year. One school returned home unable to launch leaving 6 to test. Literally half achieved flight and half did not.  Regardless, congratulations is in order for all students that came and attempted to launch. You made it to the rail, something that most schools in the program have yet to achieve. Whether your vehicle left the rail or not you and your teams are ahead of your peers. You came here high school grads with a rocket, you leave here, seasoned rocket scientists!

The mission was then called complete at 1:40. Cleaning and packing up of WC50 began,  as this was the official last day of testing for SystemsGo, students, and WSMR personnel.

Safe travels to all schools heading home, tomorrow. It is back to Texas for the SystemsGo team tomorrow as well. Tonight, the team enjoyed dinner, drinks, conversation and an early bed time.

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. minute

Saturday, Rockets 2019-WSMR Launch Day 2 Report and New Sunday Schedules

Four schools attempted launches at White Sands Missile Range today, but Union Grove High School was the only school to achieve lift off. They had a T-time of 10:00 a.m. Their vehicle named, “Lion 6″, weighed in at 474 lbs fueled, standing 20′ 10″ tall with a diameter of 8.625”.

Two payloads were on board, the first of which was a Arduino to record external temperature and pressure of the rocket. The second was a Texas Instruments board designed to measure temperature, axis of rotation, and pressure.  The recovery is a dual Raven 3 altimeter system. The main emphasis of recovery for the team was the nose cone an upper skirt.

Lion 6 was the first launch of the day. At T-0 the vehicle ignited but remained on the rail where it burned for 27 seconds. The team and those watching groaned as it seemed it would burn out on the rail. At 10:00:27 a.m. it left the rail in a blur that almost everyone missed seeing, because it happened so quickly. Radar and ops were  unable to get a lock on it. Due to this, there is no information on altitude, velocity, or distance, and absolutely no tracking. WSMR recovery teams will be looking for it, hoping that when it is recovered some data may be available from it.

This was Union Grove’s sixth time to test a vehicle at WSMR, but only the second  time to leave the rail. The last was three years ago in 2016. They are all very excited about this achievement.  They only wish they knew the vehicles altitude.

WSMR  Chief of Flight Safety Branch, Billy Johnson, tried to calculate a BEST GUESS for them, allotting for the fuel lost during the 27 second burn on the rail, and assuming that everything else about the flight was perfect. Now before I report this let me emphasize that this is only a guess with no real time data to support it right now. But when they find the rocket if they can acquire the information they need from its recording devices and he is correct, there is a possibility, and right now that is all this is, a possibility that the vehicle could have achieved 55,000 feet.

We may or may not every know if this is the case, but the vehicle’s projected altitude from RockSim was 60,161 so it would be in line with that.  That would make it a new record, but only if it can be confirmed with real facts in the future. It did make for some super happy students today!

The rest of the day’s tests included Anahuac High School, Marble Falls High School and Brazoswood High School

Anahuac was the second test at 11:33 a.m., but was quickly taken down without fueling due to a broken valve. They will make a second attempt tomorrow morning. Along with them will be Brazoswood which was on the rail and attempted launch twice, at 3:52 p.m. and 4:07 p.m. It had a miss-fire both times due to an electrical issue. They will try to correct the problem and test again tomorrow as well. Brazoswood was the final test for the day.

Marble Falls was the third test today. The vehicle made it’s first attempt at 1:12 p.m. at which time it had no ignition visible. This was a small voltage problem that was quickly corrected. The second test attempt was made at 1:41 p.m.. It resulted in a miss-fire, that ignited and burned out on the rail, quickly. After a standard safety wait time of 30 minutes, the rocket was vented and it was determined that the oxidizer failed to open. Unfortunately it will not be able to make a second attempt.

Tomorrow, Sunday,  launches will begin again at 8:00 a.m. in the morning. The schedule will be as follows:

    1. 08:00 a.m. Fredericksburg High School
    2. 10:00 a.m. Anahuac High School
    3. 12:00 p.m. Brazoswood High School

Booker T Washington was scheduled for tomorrow as well, but they were unable to have their vehicles ready, aborted and, since decided to go home.

Tomorrow will be another extremely early morning for the SystemsGo team and program participants form Fredericksburg High School, Brazoswood High School,  and Anahuac High School. They will all be headed  out to the WC50 range, at 5:00 a.m. to test.

Parents and others going to watch please Range Control gate in the dirt area at 7:00 a.m.

Mission was called complete by WSMR at 4:16 p.m. today!

Event details will continue to be available here. Information  will be available late tomorrow evening after all tests are complete and the range has been packed up. Pictures are not allowed on the range, but some pictures of teams getting ready to leave for the range with their vehicles might be available. If anything is available I will post it for your viewing pleasure.

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.

Friday’s Launch, an Ode to Rough Beginnings for Launch Day 1 at WSMR, Rockets 2019

Today was the perfect example of rough beginnings and a reminder that these are experimental vehicles, no matter how well the research, planning, development and projections are done.

Launches were to commence at 10:00 this morning. Union Grove High School was first up on the rail, but a leak was detected and they were bumped in order to fix the issue and keep the launches running as close to schedule as possible.

Next on the rail was Alamo Heights High School. There were several holds and the launch was delayed until after 11:22. The rocket was having an issue getting completely fueled which was slowing the launch.

Also Someone moved the cones at one of the barricades where the roads were shut down for the launch and proceeded to drive through. WSMR officials had to go secure the barricades and clear that section of the projected area again. This also delayed the launch.

During the delays, WSMR officials welcomed the parents and did a mini briefing for them in the Range Control auditorium, in lieu of the usual T-1 Briefing. During this time Alamo Heights students also gave their Student Rocket Presentations encompassing the details about and expectations of their vehicles.

Around 11:30 the decision was made that the rocket was as full as it was going to be able to achieve and therefore it was time to launch.

Before the launch I spoke with several of Alamo Heights students. According to them the vehicles name is Rocket with the R backwards like a Russian R. It is 20′ long with a diameter of 10″, weighing in at just over 600 lbs fully fueled. The payload was a Yeti cup with a Petri dish of penicillin and mold from a wallet. They intended to study the effects of radiation on both to see how it effected growth of the mold and if the penicillin became more potent.

Their recovery system was a mortar barrel system with 3 charges with a reefing system. The first charge released the nose cone, the second knocks the piston out of the barrel, deploying the third that releases the reefing lines. The vehicle also had a 3D printed nozzle which threaded into the  fuel grain which was poured directly into the tube with threading at each end to hold it in.

The vehicles projected height was 56,000′. Unfortunately it did not achieve that today. Instead it ignited and traveled up about 20′ above the rail, turned on its side and crashed to the ground just behind the two launch trailers, where it continued to burn until the engine and fuel grain completely burned out.

This made the area unapproachable for quite some time, until all flames could be put out and the rocket cooled enough to be safe to move and asses damages in the area. Unfortunately, this caused the cancellation of all other launches for the day.

SystemsGo and WSMR personnel stayed at the site to clean up, and assess and repair equipment in order to continue launches tomorrow.

There will be many things for students to evaluate and learn as to why this incident occurred, and how to prevent it in the future. SystemsGo may have some suggestions and evaluations of their own.

Currently the rocket has been recovered and SystemsGo is at the range replacing hydraulic lines on the launch trailer that were melted and working to get the switching running again.

Tomorrow will be another 10:00 am launch start. This will mean that personnel going to WC50 will be leaving for the range at 6:00 am.

Those going to watch the launches from Range Control will be heading out at 8:00 a.m. to meet our rep in the gravel lot outside the main gate by 9:00 a.m.

Tomorrow’s launch schedule is as follows:

  • 10:00 a.m. Union Grove High School
  • 12:00 a.m. Anahuac High School
  • 14:00 p.m. Marble Falls High School
  • 16:00 p.m. Brazoswood High School

If it is a perfect day and all goes well with no exceptions with each launch, then only Fredericksburg High School’s and Booker T Washington High School’s two rockets would be left for Sunday.

Realistically, this is a very tight launch sequence with little to no room for errors. As we saw today, errors can and do occasionally happen and can cause severe delays in the launch schedule and hinder time availability.

If we do not get all four launches tomorrow, then they will carry over into Sunday time slots as allowed by WSMR.

Sunday is a contingency day if needed in which four more vehicles could launch, otherwise we will travel home that day.

Best of luck to all schools so that they may have a successful launches tomorrow.

Event details will continue to be available here. I will provide more information each morning as to how the schedule and other event details will progress for that day and how launches went for the schools testing that day. Pictures are not allowed on the range, but some pictures of teams getting ready to leave for the range with their vehicles might be available. If anything is available I will post it for your viewing pleasure.

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.

Thursday Rockets 2019 Headed to White Sands-Day 1 Set up-Report and Friday Early Information

The SystemsGo team left Fredericksburg at 5:30 this morning headed to White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico. They arrived in Alamogordo at about 1:30 and headed straight to West Center 50 to set up the range. It was a successful day for the team as they were able to set up the rail and test equipment, leaving only minor things to be finished Friday morning.

They left the range around 6:40 and headed in to supper at Si Senor Mexican Restaurant. Afterwards the team split sending some to gather supplies for tomorrow while others went to meet schools still needing to complete their FRR checks.

The current schedule has launches beginning by 10:00 tomorrow morning.

Here is a quick recap from Rebekah Hyatt’s Friday emails:

Friday: All essential personnel from all schools meet in the Quality Inn parking lot at 6:15 and caravan to the  Tula Gate arriving by 7 AM. Look for the white van with SystemsGo on the side. There will be a safety briefing on site at WC50 at 7:30 so please be prompt.
Once your rocket is on range and ready to go to the rail and you are NOT one of the first 4 to launch,  you will be allowed to leave the range when we evacuate for the first launch. If you are one of the first 4 to launch, you will be evacuated and brought back after  launch.
We have 3 launch times for Friday beginning at 10 AM with 2 hour intervals. All spectators must be at the main gate no later than 8:30 AM. Ginger Burow and Anna Cardon will be waiting in the dirt area to the right just ahead of the gates. We will need a vehicle count from each school which should be provided to Ginger prior to arriving at the gate. They only allow the total count we supply through the gate.
After being led through we will follow to the base theater for a 9:15 briefing by military officials. It should be short and then the group will proceed to Range Control ahead of a 10:00 first T time. This is a tight schedule so please do not be late to the gate. Please have your ID with you and be advised that no electronics of any kind including fitbits are allowed inside Range Control.
Below is the current schedule of launches:
Note that is as long as all rockets are completely ready.
  • Friday:
    1. Union Grove High School
    2. Alamo Heights High School
    3. Booker T Washington High School (Rocket 1)
    4. Anahuac High School (if the time allows for a fourth launch)
      1. Brazoswood High School (1st to move up in the event Anahuac is not ready)
  • Saturday: If only 3 are tested on Friday
    1. Anahuac High School
    2. Marble Falls High School (will launch Saturday no matter how the schedule moves.)
    3. Brazoswood High School
    4. Fredericksburg High School
    5. Booker T Washington (Rocket 2)

Event details will continue to be available here. I will provide more information each day as to how the schedule and other event details will progress for that day and how launches went for the schools testing the previous day. Pictures are not allowed on the range, but some pictures of teams getting ready to leave for the range with their vehicles might be available. If anything is available, I will post it for your viewing pleasure.

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.

 

Rockets 2019 and the Texas Rocket Trail Ended Yesterday at Southeast Texas/Smith Point Launch Site

The Texas Rocket Trail edition of Rockets 2019 came to a close yesterday with a good launch day, finally! It has been a rough weekend as Thursday launches were successful closing just as storms were rolling into the area.  Friday’s were completely cancelled and rescheduled for Sunday.  Saturday only tested 2 rockets before lightning and storms forced the shut down of the site again, and those schools were asked to move theirs to Sunday as well.

Throughout the weekend, the site sustained flooding and damage multiple times. Luckily nothing beyond repair, although it did delay start times on subsequent days. Live streaming was lost on Saturday, but was restored for Sunday’s launch.

Along with weather, flooding and other damages in the area, they also had to contend with a horrid smell from the collision of two barges and a  ship in the channel. Authorities were monitoring water and air qualities due to the nature of the chemicals the barges were carrying, that released at the collision.

Some of the recovery teams reported a run in with snakes, but escaped unscathed. Not sure about the snakes.

With all this going on and more, the team and volunteers still managed to launch 43 rockets for the weekend, 28 of which were Sunday. 32 of those were successfully recovered, another 5 were lost to the Bay. Considering they only had 2 recovery teams on Thursday and 3 on Sunday that is still an amazing recovery rate.

There were originally 57 rockets scheduled for testing at Smith Point but several cancelled due to the weather concerns which is why only 43 were actually launched. No word on what the fate of the rockets that were not tested will be. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them return next rocket season.

This was a site of hope for all involved on Sunday, after all the weather issues. The pad finally boasted a full volley with all rails loaded and ready.

Many thanks to Erin Arkinson for supplying me with information and pictures for the weekend. I never accomplished the Livestream, even when it was up, due to technical difficulties on my own system.

The Southeast Texas/Smith Point launch schools are also listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ . Links for the Livestream and pictures are also listed below.

Southeast Texas/Smith Point

In late June, eight Texas schools’ senior/graduate teams are tentatively scheduled to launch their Goddard level rockets at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico. The current roster lists a possible 10 rockets to be attempted at the range. This will complete the fifth launch and finalize the season.

Daily reports featuring schedule links, school names, results, pictures and some editorial content will be posted during that event if information is available. There will not be live streaming since this is a military base.

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 #Rockets2019

 

 

 

Saturday,Rockets 2018-Final Day at WSMR

SystemsGo scheduled three tests today at White Sands Missile Range, Booker T. Washington, Alamo Heights, and Anahuac. After these three launches, Union Grove would have the opportunity to have a second attempt at launch after fixing the malfunction from Friday’s launch.

Booker T. Washington’s rocket was the first test. Students had loaded the rocket onto the rail before leaving West Center 50 Range at mission completion last evening. The schedule had the school’s T time set for 8:00 a.m. It’s actual T time ended up being at 9:12 after two holds caused by issues with wiring on the rocket which caused the vehicle to have to be vented,  brought down, fixed and reloaded. Unfortunately, the rocket never left the rail. At ignition, the rocket only smoked,  ending in a misfire. Due to the misfire, a 30 minute wait time had to be observed for safety until it could be removed. Following the 30 minute wait, the vehicle was the vented and removed from the rail. It is believed that the injection system did not open.

Alamo Heights  was next on the rail. The schedule was now two hours behind. They loaded without incident and observed a T time of 11:57. It achieved ignition and lifted off the rail. It was a great launch, but turned on its side, continuing on up with an angle headed down range. The rocket reached a peak altitude of 23,083 feet, but due to the launch rail being at a MSL (mean sea level) of 4,521 feet, the final height reached was 18,562 feet. This number is calculated by subtracting the MSL from the peak altitude.

Vehicle velocity was 1503 feet per second. It traveled 26326.323 feet down range which equals 4.986 miles. WSMR reported that the chute did deploy before landing. Alamo Heights’ rocket had the second highest altitude, and also achieved the greatest distance traveled traveled for the weekend. After WSMR recovered the rocket it was determined that only the Drogue chute opened and then melted as the vehicle was still burning. Because of this the rocket had a ballistic re-entry, burying itself in the range. Only the engine casing with fins intact was returned to the team as seen in the picture above. In the picture below, the team is shown with the rocket before launch.

FD40E23B-2318-4A1E-87E2-7A43651DDEDF

Anahuac was next on the rail at 2:09 p.m. They had no lift at ignition, only a partial burn. It also vented the Nitrous through a hole in the injector bay. According to analysis from Anahuac, a hose between the injector and diffuser plate blew a fitting where it attached to the diffuser plate. They are not sure what caused this at this time, but they were able to confirm that the tank and injector were intact. The partial burn created another hang/misfire situation creating another safety delay of 30 minutes before the vehicle could be off loaded from the rail.

By the time this delay was up it was 2:45 and range end time for air space was 3:30. This effectively ended our mission time on the range, called officially by WSMR officials. Due to this, Union Grove was unable to go for a second attempt.

The mission was then called complete. Cleaning and packing up of WC50 began,  as this was the official last day of testing for SystemsGo, students, and WSMR personnel.

Safe travels to all schools heading home, tomorrow. It is back to Texas for the SystemsGo team tomorrow as well. Tonight, the team enjoyed dinner, drinks, conversation and an early bed time.

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. minute

Friday, Rockets 2018-WSMR Launch Day 1 Report and New Saturday Schedules

Today was an extremely early morning for the SystemsGo team and program participants, Fredericksburg High School, Brazoswood High School, Booker T. Washington, and Anahuac High School. They were all headed  out to the WC50 range, at 5:00 a.m. to test. They had success and were able to left off the rail.

Fredericksburg High School was first to test, leaving the rail at 9:24 a.m. after some minor delays. The vehicle blew the injection port door and a hose blew out of the open hole, but in spite of this, it still achieved a beautiful lift off.  Unfortunately though it acquired height, it was not in the air long enough for either radar or EOD to get a definitive lock on it. They estimated it at somewhere between 2000 and 10000 feet, but were unable to calculate a Real time stat on it. The vehicle suffered an explosion upon return to the range and landed in pieces 200 yards down range to the right of the pad. It was recovered shortly after launch. Congratulations, Fredericksburg on a very nice flight.

Fredericksburg’s rocket team.

 

SystemsGo was able to have Brazoswood loaded on the rail, set for a 12:15 T time. The rocket commenced fill developed a small leak. While the students and teams were evaluating this development, WSMR experienced an emergency down range that affected the airspace SystemsGo uses for launch. The launch was set to hold leaving the filled rocket on the rail to wait. The launch was called to surrender the airspace and launch.  Luckily changes were made to the airspace and the student team decided they were able to fly with the leak. The delay had caused to vehicle to leak out Nitrous bringing it’s fuel level down to less than 50%. The decision was made to test as it was. Their rocket had a unique injection system involving a multiple hose configuration which worked well.

The vehicle achieved lift off at 12:18 in spite of all the delays. The rocket left the rail trailing a large classic flame and literally zoomed into the sky. The flight only had 46 seconds of air time, but it achieved a max altitude of  28,572 with a starting of 4521 feet above sea level, calculating out to an altitude of 24,051 feet at a velocity of 2508 feet per second. It traveled 5562.167 feet equaling 1.053 miles down range. They were able to recover the vehicle, but the narrow section at the top was broken about 6 inches above the tank. At this time they are unable to confirm whether or not any chutes were deployed.

An accompanying Brazoswood parent, Lisa Baker, stated that the “Nose cone went to a location that only God is allowed to go!”

This was their first year to bring a rocket to WSMR, and they achieved quite a launch. I can only imagine what they would have done with a full tank and no leak. They are currently the weekend leaders. Congratulations Brazoswood!

Brazoswood at the T-1 Briefing.

Union Grove was loaded onto the rail next, but unfortunately it suffered a slight malfunction in the injection system that caused the Nitrous to blow out the bottom of the rocket. Fill was stopped and the vehicle was removed for repairs. They will attempt to launch again tomorrow afternoon.

Mission was called complete for the day by WSMR at 2:30 p.m.

Booker T. Washington’s rocket was loaded onto the rail in preparation of the first launch tomorrow.

Tomorrow’s schedule is also an early one as it mirror’s today’s starting schedule.  They are all going out to the range at 5:00 a.m. to prepare for a beginning T of 8:00 a.m. If the schedule holds, and all for tests lift off with out delays, they should be packing up the range by 3:00 p.m. If not a decision will be made at that time as whether the contingency slots on Monday will be used, or the group will call the mission and head home.

The following is the schedule at this time:

Saturday launch order:

8:00 a.m. Booker T. Washington High School
10:00 a.m. Alamo Heights High School
12:00 p.m. Anahuac High School
14:00 p.m. Union Grove High School

Event details will continue to be available here. Information  will be available late tomorrow evening after all tests are complete and the range has been packed up. Pictures are not allowed on the range, but some pictures of teams getting ready to leave for the range with their vehicles might be available. If anything is available I will post it for your viewing pleasure.

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.