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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.

 

Goddard Level Rockets Ride The Skies in 17 Days Redbird #20 Among Them

The Goddard level rockets, which are the capstones of the SystemsGo program and the culmination of all the skills the students have learned throughout their years in the STEM program are set to launch June 21-23. This marks the final senior project for the schools that participate in this level of the SystemsGo program.

Redbird #20 is scheduled for testing at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) Sunday, June 23. This marks the last big event for Rockets 2019 and the Fredericksburg Engineering/Rocket Program.

As of today, May 31, when I was able to get a report on the rocket’s status, from team member, Dawsen Harkins, was in good standing. He reported that as of May 30, the nosecone had been assembled and covered with its first layer of fiberglass.

In this photo the nose cone ring is being secured in place, and centered by skewers for fiberglassing.

Although, the tank required 2 trips to SRM to have leaks rewelded, it has now completed its pressure testing successfully. It will be returning to SRM again to have the hatches and holes cut in.

New for this year is a piston valve system. This has also performed well when tested.

This year’s rocket is supporting three payloads. The first came from Harvard University, courtesy of former FHS student, Joseph Sanchez, who attends school there. It is a CubeSat with a pneumatically deployed solar panel.

They second one was created by Keith Jenkins, the FHS IT guy. It is a small electronics bay.

The third the team provided. It is a GoPro camera. It will be positioned behind an acrylic window in the hatch, so that it can look out and video the vehicle’s flight.

According to Harkins, “All components bays have been made and 3D printed and fit perfectly in the rocket.”

The fuel grain is also on the task list. They have assembled the mold for pouring it. One part of the mixture for the fuel grain is still not in but they will be mixing and pouring it as soon as this arrives.

As of this report, supplied last Friday, the following list of things is left and then they are FRR complete.

  1. Complete the fiberglassing of the nose cone.
  2. Make the fuel grain and assemble the motor system.
  3. Assemble the recovery system.
  4. Weld fins to body.
  5. Cut hatches and have holes drilled in the body tube.
  6. Fix minor little things for flight.

The current list of students from this team attending the WSMR launch is as follows:

Rodolfo Avila, Cody Blohm, Gloria Burns, Alexander Casteneda, Lucio Castro Vazquez, Clayton Ellebracht, Jose Escalante, Jabin Gipson, Dawsen Harkins, Cooper McDonald, Eduardo Memije, Bradley Plaza, Joshua Reese-Hadley,  Nicholas Rodriguez, Robert Sanchez, Deja Turkett, Gabriel Voorhees, Carl Wilger, and Robert Zowie.

Currently there is not a team picture available, but here is Nick Rodriguez, Deja Turkett and Dawsen Harkins taking a work break on the stairs at FHS.

Launches are scheduled for June 21st and June 23rd. The team will travel out to WSMR on Wednesday, June 20th, and back home again on the 24th.

There are 7 schools scheduled to launch 8 rockets. These schools include:

  • Alamo Heights
  • Anahuac
  • Booker T. Washington
  • Brazoswood
  • Fredericksburg
  • Marble Falls
  • Union Grove

The current launch schedule is as follows:

  • Thursday, June 2oth
    1. Travel Day
  • Friday, June 21st
    1. Mrorning-T-1/Site Set up WC-50; Afternoon-Launch Union Grove & Alamo Heights ( or whichever rockets are ready)
  • Saturday, June 22rd
    1. Launch Day Two (Four Rockets-Booker T., Anahuac, Marble Falls, & Brazoswood)
  • Sunday, June 23rd
    1. Launch Day Two (Two Rockets-Fredericksburg & Booker T Washington)
  • Monday, June 24th
    1. Travel Day (Could travel home on the 23rd if operations are complete in time.)

This article is for the 2018/2019 school year to update the Fredericksburg Engineering/Rocket program. This school is a participant of the SystemsGo STEM program. This series of articles is intended to support and encourage students in the program as they share their working status and accomplishments throughout the year in the program. These publications will be available for tags and re-posting.

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.

#Rockets2018 #SystemsGo #FredricksburgSTEMAcademy #Launcher01 #RideTheSky #Texasrockettrail

 

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

 

 

 

Another Stormy Day Shuts Down Rockets 2019 Southeast Texas/Smith Point Launches Saturday

Things have not gone well down in Smith Point this weekend! Weather has been completely uncooperative causing the cancellation of Friday’s launches in total and only allowing two off the rail on Saturday.

Lightning became a major issue Saturday creating safety hazards that only allowed evacuation of the site as the rule for the day. There were 28 rockets scheduled to launch but only two did. Fortunately the rest had made it through stages 1 and 2 and are rail ready for tomorrow, Sunday.

Friday’s Rockets, numbering 18 were already rescheduled for launch on Sunday. They will still have to clear stages 1 and 2. This makes a wild total of 44 rockets to launch Sunday weather permitting!

According to posts from SystemsGo ‘s Facebook page, the new plan for Sunday is as follows. Saturday’s volleys will load the rails and launch while Friday’s are passing through stages 1 and 2. Sounds like it’s going to be an early morning, and a long day! This will be a record breaking day if all 44 vehicles ride the skies.

Recovery I hope your rides are fueled and you have your water resistant track shoes on. You’re going to be busy!  And you guys at the Pad, God bless you! You’re going to need it! Stage 3 and Mission Control, think fast it’s going to be a fun filled crazy day. Good luck to everyone, students and schools too!

Power was restored to the site late today according to SystemsGo but Livestream is still highly unlikely Sunday. They won’t know for sure until they start up  in the morning. They will try to record launches for later posting.

The Southeast Texas/Smith Point launch dates, locations, map links, ticket links, and schools are also listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

Southeast Texas/Smith Point

  • Sunday , May 12
  • Launch & All Stages: 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
    South of Anahuac, near Smith Point, Texas
  • Event Tickets
  • Southeast Texas-Smith Point 2019 Flight Schedule
  • Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/GE2tXoy3bgE2
  • Schools participating: Gary HS, Hardin-Jefferson HS, Harleton HS, Northstar HS, SF Austin HS, Anahuac HS, Booker T Washington HS, Liberty HS, Pasadena Memorial HS, South Houston HS, Brazsoport HS, Brazoswood HS, Channelview HS, Kingwood Park HS, Milby HS, New Diana HS
  • 57 expected rockets for testing
  • A live feed for each launch will be provided and will be available at www.systemsgo.org as each launch date arrives.

The site will be open for admittance at 8:00 a.m. and launches will commence at 8:30 a.m.  Of course 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.

If you plan to attend any of these launches please register for your attendance ticket ahead of time or obtain them at the gate. These are free but required for admittance to each site as they also include a waiver for access to the site. Reserving them ahead at the website is preferred to obtaining them at the gate because the latter slows entrance to the site and may result in you missing the viewing of your intended launch.

If you follow this program and like viewing the launches, this is the last one available to view for Rockets 2019.

Daily reports featuring schedule links, school names, results, pictures and some editorial content will be posted during the event 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, the future of your students will be greatly benefited.

Hope to see you at the launches! #RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2019

 

 

 

Rockets 2019 Southeast Texas/Smith Point Launches Friday Update

The  2019 Rocket season stalled today as severe thunderstorms crossed the area Thursday evening. This forced SystemsGo to cancel launch for Friday and email schools asking them to reschedule to Sunday.

When the storms passed and the team was able to reach the site, they found damage to the site and flooding. To what extent they didn’t report,  but work was underway during the day to bring the site back to potential and allow it to dry out as much as continued weather would allow.

No further reports have been posted so as far as we know, launching will resume tomorrow.

Watch SystemsGo’s Facebook page for updates tomorrow morning!

The Southeast Texas/Smith Point launch dates, locations, map links, ticket links, and schools are also listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

Southeast Texas/Smith Point

  • Thursday, May 9 – Saturday, May 11
  • Launch & All Stages: 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
    South of Anahuac, near Smith Point, Texas
  • Event Tickets
  • Southeast Texas-Smith Point 2019 Flight Schedule
  • FullSizeR (1)
  • Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/GE2tXoy3bgE2
  • Schools participating: Gary HS, Hardin-Jefferson HS, Harleton HS, Northstar HS, SF Austin HS, Anahuac HS, Booker T Washington HS, Liberty HS, Pasadena Memorial HS, South Houston HS, Brazsoport HS, Brazoswood HS, Channelview HS, Kingwood Park HS, Milby HS, New Diana HS
  • 57 expected rockets for testing
  • A live feed for each launch will be provided and will be available at www.systemsgo.org as each launch date arrives.
  • May 10- Day 2

The site should be open for admittance at 8:00 a.m. and launches will commence at 8:30 a.m.  Of course 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.

If you plan to attend any of these launches please register for your attendance ticket ahead of time or obtain them at the gate. These are free but required for admittance to each site as they also include a waiver for access to the site. Reserving them ahead at the website is preferred to obtaining them at the gate because the latter slows entrance to the site and may result in you missing the viewing of your intended launch.

If you follow this program and like viewing the launches, this is the last one available to view for Rockets 2019.

Daily reports featuring schedule links, school names, results, pictures and some editorial content will be posted during the event 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, the future of your students will be greatly benefited.

Hope to see you at the launches! #RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2019

 

 

 

Rockets 2019 Southeast Texas/Smith Point Launches Thursday Recap

The Southeast Texas/Smith Point testing site had it’s first day of launches today. Currently  57 vehicles are scheduled for testing by 17 schools at this site. This site will  test this weekend, May 9-11, with a rain contingency day to be used only if needed on May 12.

The original schedule for today showed four schools launching 11 rockets. Reports from the site this evening boasted a great day, with 13 vehicles launched, 12 recovered and only one in the Bay. That is really good odds for a startup day.

Opening day gave the group perfect weather, with only partly cloudy skies which works well to keep the rails lifting those rockets skyward. According to Captain Garrett, they were all off the range by 4:30 (16:30) which is great for team and volunteers to be able to get some food and rest before it starts again tomorrow.

Erin Arkinson reports that things went well, but they are now watching the weather closely hoping that they can make it to the range tomorrow. There is a big weather cell moving across the area and more to come. Be sure to watch SystemsGo’s Facebook page for weather updates, including any delays to tomorrow or subsequent days’ start times.

The Southeast Texas/Smith Point launch dates, locations, map links, ticket links, picture links, live stream links, and schools are also listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

Southeast Texas/Smith Point

The site will be open for admittance at 8:00 a.m. and launches will commence at 8:30 a.m.  Of course 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.

If you plan to attend any of these launches please register for your attendance ticket ahead of time or obtain them at the gate. These are free but required for admittance to each site as they also include a waiver for access to the site. Reserving them ahead at the website is preferred to obtaining them at the gate because the latter slows entrance to the site and may result in you missing the viewing of your intended launch.

If you follow this program and like viewing the launches, this is the last one available to view for Rockets 2019.

Daily reports featuring schedule links, school names, results, pictures and some editorial content will be posted during the event 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, the future of your students will be greatly benefited.

Hope to see you at the launches! #RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2019

 

 

 

You Crazy Rocket Volunteers, Why Do You Keep Coming Back???

It is the question of the day, every year. Phil Houseal interviews many of us every rocket season on live feed and asks, “So, you take vacation time every year and keep coming back to help with the program, why do you do this?”

That is a question with a many fold answer. Some volunteers started in this as friends of Mr. Brett Williams that answered the call for help, became addicted to the fun and all the program was accomplishing, and just kept coming back to help. Others, like my husband, me and several others have had our own kids as well as family members travel through the program and go on to wonderful careers in and out of the STEM fields. Our times here started with our family members’ involvement, and we have chosen to stay in support of the program, acknowledging all it provides these students. We stay to be sure that the program lives on giving others these opportunities.

That is the big answer, but it is the behind the scenes answer that is really the drawing card. This program changes lives. It engages students that might not have found interest any other way. It shows them all they really can do, and that they can do it.

A lot of the students are already on a good path to success and it bolsters that path. But some may be on the verge of giving up, hating school, many may be already thinking, “why do I need any of this?”

There are students that don’t even realize they have needed skills to pull a project like a rocket off and see it to fruition. You hear it all the time, “I’m not an engineer, or I’m not that good at math and science, or I’m not into all that technology stuff!”

Well the truth is, you have a phone, guess what you are using technology and probably understand more about it than your teacher. Math, you use basic math every day when you use money. Applied, higher math can be learned along the way. Science, well in a basic sense every time you cook a meal, build something, create anything you are using a form of science. Every seen the movie, “Ice Princess?” She used science to figure out how to complete a skating jump. Have you ever packed a vehicle or say high school band trailer with equipment, and figured out how to make it all fit? That is a form of spatial engineering. My point is we really do use this stuff every day at least in a basic form.

The other side to this coin is the program needs every kind of thinker and craftsman to create that rocket. If you can weld, you are in. How do you think they put these parts together? So you like working on engines, a rocket has a motor and fuel. You like power tools and wood working. There is wood and other building materials in that rocket that need to be figured, designed, cut and placed. That science stuff just isn’t for you, because you are into business management, and want to have a store, restaurant, etc. You will need to know how to run a business, create proposals, order merchandise, create bids, keep inventory, budget needs, research necessities, communicate with customers and other business associates. Once again, it is all here and more…………..

So, then why do we keep coming back? Simply put, because we have seen this program work. We have seen the future output from students that participated in it. And every year we see that in every rocket class from every school that moves through these launches.

Even the students that are not as fully vested as they should be feel and show the joy of accomplishment and start to follow a path that takes them to a better future. When they launch that rocket and realize what they have accomplished the looks on their faces and the excitement is palpable. Whether that vehicle flies 5000′ or 50′ and comes back all intact or in 1000 pieces, they are over joyed to have it back to analyze. They finally realize they CAN do it! The smiles and excitement is more than worth the time we put in as volunteers.

Of course, the best reasons are the personal stories from parents, teachers and students alike. These are the success stories of students that were being lost to the system. There are students who we seen there every year, that by the time we see them, probably seem like every other enthusiastic rocket class student excitedly waiting for their launch. But they have a back story only they, their parents and teachers may know. They were sick of school, ready to quit, bored, probably thought that all this learning was for anyone but them.

Then, somehow, some way, they were introduced to and inducted into the rocket program. Now after some time and before they even realize it they have a purpose and everything in their lives has changed.

They change from “Mom let me quit school, to Mom, we are going to be late I have to get to class so I can work on my rocket!” Instead of I don’t fit in there, it’s I know how to help with that, let me show you.

They change from being alone to being part of a small team that is part of a bigger team that is creating a masterpiece all their own. And best of all is everything that they are learning right now and carrying on from here with them that they haven’t even realized yet.

This program really changes lives. It creates not only the hope for a fantastic future, but a yearning to reach that future, whatever the path may be.

SystemsGo Program Director, Rebekah Hyatt, recently referred to it as the Deeper Side of Rockets, after receiving a glowing endorsement from the parent of a student that changed the course of his life after being introduced to the rocket class. As Rebekah put it, “Changing the trajectory of kid!”

So there, Phil Houseal, there is why we all do it!

First and foremost for ourselves and all the comradery and fun we receive from it. We absolutely love being involved in the program however we can. I have said for years, that I want to make a shirt that reads, “I am Addicted to Rockets, There is no Cure, but I am in RECOVERY!

But most importantly, as teachers, parents, and a countless number of volunteers, we do it so that every student that comes in contact with the SystemsGo Rocket Program, in one way or another might continue to have the chance to grab the opportunity before them with enthusiasm and ride it into a glorious future on the fins of a rocket!

Rockets 2019 Southeast Texas/Smith Point Launches This Weekend

The  2019 Rocket season is on it’s last leg of the junior series launches with the Southeast Texas/Smith Point testing site. As the name states, this site is in Smith Point just south of Anahuac, Texas. It is for schools in the Houston and Southeast Texas area.   Currently  57 vehicles are scheduled for testing by 17 schools at this site. This site will  test this weekend, May 9-11, with a rain contingency day to be used only if needed on May 12.

The Southeast Texas (Houston) location originally began in Clute, Texas near Lake Jackson, Texas in 2012.  The Houston launch opportunity became the second venue for testing for SystemsGo program students and schools at this point. It allowed many of the schools traveling from that area to the Fredericksburg launch a testing site closer to home. It also took some of the burden from Central Texas launch and redistributed it to the Houston site.

In 2017, the Clute location closed and the site moved to Smith Point making this the third year for launches in that space.

The Southeast Texas/Smith Point launch dates, locations, map links, ticket links, and schools are also listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

Southeast Texas/Smith Point

  • Thursday, May 9 – Saturday, May 11
  • Launch & All Stages: 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
    South of Anahuac, near Smith Point, Texas
  • Event Tickets
  • Southeast Texas-Smith Point 2019 Flight Schedule
  • Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/GE2tXoy3bgE2
  • Schools participating: Gary HS, Hardin-Jefferson HS, Harleton HS, Northstar HS, SF Austin HS, Anahuac HS, Booker T Washington HS, Liberty HS, Pasadena Memorial HS, South Houston HS, Brazsoport HS, Brazoswood HS, Channelview HS, Kingwood Park HS, Milby HS, New Diana HS
  • 57 expected rockets for testing
  • A live feed for each launch will be provided and will be available at www.systemsgo.org as each launch date arrives.

The site will be open for admittance at 8:00 a.m. and launches will commence at 8:30 a.m.  Of course 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.

Later in the summer, eight Texas schools are currently on the roster to attempt a possible 10 rockets at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, completing the fifth launch and finalizing the season.

If you plan to attend any of these launches please register for your attendance ticket ahead of time or obtain them at the gate. These are free but required for admittance to each site as they also include a waiver for access to the site. Reserving them ahead at the website is preferred to obtaining them at the gate because the latter slows entrance to the site and may result in you missing the viewing of your intended launch.

If you follow this program and like viewing the launches, this is the last one available to view for Rockets 2019.

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

The senior groups are tentatively scheduled to launch their Goddard level rockets at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico in late June.  These are not available for public viewing or Livestream due to being tested on a military facility, but blog and SystemsGo updates will be posted online as available during that week.

Daily reports featuring schedule links, school names, results, pictures and some editorial content will be posted during the event 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, the future of your students will be greatly benefited.

Hope to see you at the launches! #RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2019

 

 

 

Rockets 2019 Central Texas/Stonewall Ended Today, With a Weather Makeup Day, Sunday

The Central Texas/Stonewall launch hit its final day in this series for the Rockets 2019 season, today. This day was not originally on the schedule but added due to inclement weather on Thursday and Friday to allow schools another launch option if they could not complete theirs due to the bad weather. Only one school, Georgetown High School chose this option. They had four rockets to test today. Three 1 pound/1 mile and 1 Transonic.

All four vehicles were tested and launched, 3 beautifully, and the fourth only made about fifty feet, before tumbling back down near the pad. Even so, all were tested and all recovered.

There was some added interest in this school for the Segner and Spies families, as they had a couple of relatives that recently began working for this school that joined the rocket group at the ranch to watch the launches.

Thanks so much to Sammy Segner, Troy, Jennifer, and Reed Spies, and Richard Koone for the use of their properties and for joining in the hunt for rockets as recovery teams. They made the weekend very enjoyable for everyone involved. It was a great first year at the new location and everyone is looking forward to being there again next season.

There were a total of 37 rockets tested by 19 schools at the new  Stonewall location for Rockets 2019. The recovery teams did a wonderful job of hunting them and returning them to the students. There were only 2 that were not recovered.

Thank is also in order for the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce for hosting Stage 1 and 2 at their building.

Pictures from the progress at the site to this weekend 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

If you follow this program and like to view the launches, Rockets 2019  will continue with one more launch next week, May 9-11, with a possible weather make up day again on Sunday. There are some weather predictions for next week that might necessitate using Sunday just as we did this week. The final launch of the junior level rockets will be held in Smith Point just south of Anahuac, Texas (the Southeast Texas/Smith Point launch) for schools in the Houston  and Southeast Texas area.

The senior groups are tentatively scheduled to launch their Goddard level rockets at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico in late June.  These are not available for public viewing or Livestream due to being tested on a military facility, but blog and SystemsGo updates will be posted online as available during that week. This will be the fifth launch sequence and will finalize the Rockets 2019 season.

The Smith Point site will be open to public viewing of launches as well. However, if you plan to attend any of these launches please register for your attendance ticket ahead of time or obtain them at the gate. These are free but required for admittance to each site as they also include a waiver for access to the site. Reserving them ahead at the website is preferred to obtaining them at the gate because the latter slows entrance to the site and may result in you missing the viewing of your intended launch.

Come join in the action and cheer on these students too. Admission is free, but the look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered, is far from priceless.

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 #texasrockettrail #Rockets2019