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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
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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:
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
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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
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April 24, 2025, Thursday, Opening Day of Rockets 2025 in North Texas
Rockets 2025 opened today at the North Texas launch site in Jack county. Four schools were slated to test a total of 21 vehicles. Of those, three were aborted, and one from Hollenstein High School was held over for tomorrow‘s launch due to late completion in Stage 3, but 17 were tested today here in North Texas.
It was a long day. Final launches just barely made the daylight thresh hold before the final mission complete was called for the day. Storms impeded progress early in the morning from 6:00 a.m. until around 8:30 a.m. and again after lunch from about 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Temperatures bewteen 60s during and right after the storms to 80s in the late afternoon. Light jackets were quickly discarded by late afternoon when rain was replaced with full sun with only spotty clouds.
Our three recovery had a good day recovering a substantial number from today and a few old ones from past years.
Tomorrow’s original schedule shows 4 schools and 19 rockets. One of Hollenstein’s rockets is returning tomorrow which ups the number to 20 for the day.
It was a good day in spite of short handedness in Mission Control. Randy was covering Fill and Fire, Data Entry and Recovery coordination. Later in the day Jaque came in from Stage 2 and helped with Fill and Fire. And early on Joyce helped cover data entry to upload to Josephine so stats could be seen on the Livestream.
Tomorrow, recovery will be down one team from today, but another is coming in to help.
Tomorrow’s weather predicts rain possible with a 20-35% chance around 11:00 a.m. This could present a problem with completing all the launches for tomorrow. Hopefully this will not be the case, and we will not have to run into our contingency day on Saturday.
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 still provided by the Jacksboro Stomp organization.
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.
The launch dates, locations, and schools are listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .
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 2025 Flight Schedule link shown below.
- https://www.systemsgo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/NTX-Schedule.pdf
- Schools participating: University HS, RL Turner HS, BCTAL, Buinger HS
- 19 rockets expected for testing.
- Livestream link at available at www.systemsgo.org for each day.
- NTX Stream Link DAY 2/April 25
If you are follow this program join us again tomorrow for Rockets 2025 Day 2 in Jacksboro.
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 #Rockets2025 #SystemsGoRocketTrail #TexasRocketTrail #EyesToTheSkies
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Rockets 2025, Wednesday, April 23rd North Texas Launch Site Prep Day
The SystemsGo team and volunteers spent Wednesday at the site in North Texas, near Jacksboro in Jack County, transforming the Brown and Thornton family ranches into a launch site, once again for this year’s 2025 NTX launch. Thursday morning, marks opening day for this Texas launch venue, as schools, students, and test vehicles arrive for the Rockets 2025 flight line up.
This is the event’s sixth active year in this location. The ranches used here in Jack county are courtesy of the Brown family for Stage 1, 2 and Event Parking, and the Thornton family for Stage 3, Mission Control and launching.
This year’s event is sponsored by Herbert Easley Power Sports in Henriettta who supplied some of the ATV’s used by recovery, as well as Stroeher and Olfers, Inc of Fredericksburg for supplying the rest of the ATV’s. Bert Mikosh of Credence IO Technologies was instrumental in installing Starlink WIFI to support our technology and communications. Summit Engineering Consulting is a new sponsor for this year. Lastly, The Sid W. Richardson Foundation is the original founding sponsor for SystemsGo for this event.
Pictures from the progress of the launches at this site are shared on SystemsGo Facebook page, as well as my Facebook page. They can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/SystemsGoNews
https://www.facebook.com/ginger.burow
The featured picture at the head of this article, shows a little about the range land this particular launch event calls home. The signage shows the sense of irony and humor our group has. After all, placement is everything!
Concessions for this year’s launch event in Jacksboro, are provided by Jack County STOMP Organization
.
Their menu is included below.
They are a community outreach group that provides drug awareness and prevention for children. They will have information about the organization available on site during the event for anyone interested.
Restrooms and wash stations will be provided by Mobile Thrones again this year, both at the launch site and the Stage 1 and 2, Event parking site.
A spectator tent will NOT be available on site this year. Teachers and Spectators are encouraged to bring 10×10 pop up tents for themselves and their students for extra shelter. 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. Sunday is our built in weather contingency day should we need to delay launches. All rockets and students should proceed through Stages 1, 2, and 3 at their assigned times each day so that each vehicle can be completed and be ready for launch if possible. If delays happen the completed rockets will be stored in a trailer until the next available, safe launch spot becomes available, either that day, or subsequent days as circumstances allow.
Parents are asked to ride with their students in the school buses from Stage 1 and 2. Other spectators will have provided parking, watch for signage marking that area and instructions on how you will be brought in from there. We will not be shuttling spectators to the launch site this year.
Jacksboro is the first Texas launch for the Rockets 2025 season but the second launch in the SystemsGo launch line up for the spring rocket trail. SystemsGo New Mexico held the first launch, in Jal, New Mexico, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. North Texas will be followed by launches in Central Texas/Stonewall and Southeast Texas/Smith Point.
North Texas/Jack County, is hosting 8 schools, slated to test 40 rockets Thursday and Friday. Saturday is set as a contingency day in case of inclement weather. Storms are possible in the area with the highest possibilities being Thursday and Saturday. Due to this watch for possible weather delays and schedule changes. Hopefully they will not be necessary, but the possibility looms.
Tomorrow’s basic launch details including schools are also listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .
North Texas/Jack County:
- Thursday, April 24-Friday, April 25 (Contingency Day, Saturday, April 26.)
- Launch Site: FM 2210 W and Gowan Ranch Lane, Jacksboro, TX 76458
Stage 1 & 2 are at the bus parking area. Look for the signs, you will arrive there first. - North Texas-Jack County 2025 Flight Schedules may be downloaded from the SystemsGo/Events page.
-
Thursday, April 24, 2025 School Name / Teacher 1/1 Mach 1.0/1.25 Hollenstein CTCRick Griffith 11 Northstar SchoolByron Appelt 2 PetroliaLance Lyles 4 1 Gary HSS.Kennedy/K. Philley 3 Schools Launching 4Totals 9 12 Total Rockets 21 - Schools participating: Hollenstein CTC, Northstar HS, Gary HS, Petrolia
- 40 expected rockets for testing.
- Watch the Livestream here: NTX Stream Link DAY 1/April 24:
- 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.
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 SystemsGo Terms and Conditions 2025. There is no charge, but proof of registration is required before entering the site.
- All information can be found https://www.systemsgo.org/events/ listed under each individual venue.
Questions and concerns may be directed to info@systemsgo.org.
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/Event 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 on the Vimeo Live Stream.
The Livestream is a perfect way to follow SystemsGo’s upcoming launches in Central Texas/Stonewall and Southeast Texas/Smith Point. Be sure to check the SystemsGo/Event page for the link to each event.
More event details will be available here in upcoming days. Daily reports featuring schedules, school names, results, pictures and some editorial content will be posted during the events if information is available.
Our day is now done. We had a late dinner at Dairy Queen, and it is time for bed, because it will be early to rise tomorrow, with all #EyesToTheSkies. See you at the launch!
Please watch the SystemsGo website, SystemsGo Facebook page, SystemsGo X (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, #EyesToTheSkies #ItisRocketscience #Rockets2025 #SystemsGoRocketTrail #TexasRocketTrail
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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:
- Concessions will be available onsite at each location (menus may be limited.)
- We encourage bringing your own 10×10 pop up for extra shelter from weather be it sun or rain.
- Hand washing stations and portable restrooms.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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!!
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Who Are You Today?
Who Are You Today?
Who are you today?
Is the person I know there?
Or have you gone away?
Right know you still know my name,
But whether you love me or have me
Depends on whether I play along with your mental games!
They say I should not argue or disagree,
And never contradict,
But the mean things you say I know cannot be.
You are living in delusions and bad dreams,
And you believe all you see there,
Even at the expense of tearing your family apart it seems.
You claim things are stolen, carried away,
And even when for you we find them;
You cannot possibly be wrong so, “that is not them,” you say!
Some things you even tell us where to look,
And when we bring them to you,
You are surprised and shook.
Some days you are almost you.
Other days you are angry and mean.
Your character changes by whose talking with you.
You scream, yell, beat your fists,
Play the victim, the martyr, the guilt and pity cards.
Your words and personality are a constant twist.
You’ve become so ugly and mean,
Your loved ones cringe at your name on their phone,
Because of the stress the conversation will glean.
We try to help you any way that we can,
But the more we do,
The more the flames of your delusions fan.
We watch as you steadily decline,
In both body and mind,
Knowing the help, you need you will never agree to find.
I see only glimpses of the person I once knew.
If you could truly see and hear yourself,
You would know this is not you!
You used to worry so much about what people would think.
Now the things you say and do,
Would have made the real you, in shame shrink!
You talk about and try to end your life.
You say you wish you have never married, never had kids.
Your words drip with hate and we do our best to take it in strife.
Who are you today?
Will you talk to me, love me, hug me,
Or bang your fists, scream, cry and send me away?
Who are you today?
Will I know you at all except by your face?
And will your words be more things I wish you wouldn’t say?
Who are you today?
Will we get a tiny glimpse at least for a moment,
Of our loved one today?
Who are you today?
We beg you to get help before it’s too late.
And this person stays, and the real you goes completely away.
Who are you today?
We know it will happen eventually,
But if you just let us get you help, it wouldn’t have to be today.
Ginger Burow
11/14/24
Alzheimer’s and Dementia are rude and cruel diseases, not only to the individual that has it, but also to everyone they love and that loves them. It turns them into people they would never aspire to be, causing them to act in ways that would mortify them if they were in their right minds.
As a family member it calls into question everything you thought you knew about them and yourself. You constantly have to remind yourself, they don’t know what they are doing or saying. But just like what they are doing and saying they believe is real when it isn’t, it is also very real to you that they are treating you this way and talking to you in this manner, and accusing your of atrocious things. It is very hard to accept that the person that is supposed to love you, can be the meanest, ugliest person to you. That they can speak to you with a voice dripping with disdain, venom and hate all because you didn’t agree with something they said. They can be so angry an unbelieving that they need medical help, that they hate you, wish you were never born, want to kill themselves, and sometimes you.
Your soul aches and pities them wanting to help, but they refuse. Your mind and heart reel from their words, actions and voice unable to believe that they really don’t know what they are doing and saying, but knowing there is no other answer, because the real person would be distraught if they could really see their own behavior.
Love is the answer, and you try to keep that going and in mind, but some days it is very hard to remember this person loved you. Try your best to remember who they were instead of who they are now. Take a moment alone to cry when you need to, and realize you may need it more than you allow. That is where distance has become a friend. Just for a few days when things are super ugly you minimize contact just until the current rage calms a bit. Then you get a few days of someone close to who they should be. Oh for those few days!
Faith and God are the strongholds, along with family. Staying strong as a family even though this loved one may be trying desperately to tear you apart in order to bolster their delusional beliefs is a major key. Support one another and your dementia patient as best as you can. You will need each other as this progresses. Sometimes sharing your experiences about the situation is the best way to release stress and gain a hold in the moment.
Pray without ceasing. Pray for comfort, strength, peace and love. But above all pray for help through God’s wisdom as to how to proceed and confront each situation as it comes. Pray for the Holy Spirit to intercede on your behalf, guiding your thoughts, words and deeds while working with this person and your involved family. Pray for peace and joy in each day amidst the storms and the power to recognize the blessings that are still there.
Lastly, take a walk. Look to God’s glorious and beautiful world to show you there is still wonder and beauty to be had. Then fill your soul with it every chance you get, especially in between the gathering storms, so that His inner peace might lead you. This is appropriate for all life’s trials.
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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.
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:
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
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Rockets 2024, Friday, Site Set Up Complete and Rockets on the Rail
A 5:00 a.m. call to move out for ABC-1 started the day for all SystemsGo team and schools. The mission, to accomplish all preparations for tomorrow’s launches. All personnel arrived at the site at 6:30 am and quickly began preparations.
George Burns and Ginger Burow set up the electronics trailer and the fill and fire system. Steve Burow set up the pad, rails and wiring for the launch rails. Students from the teams helped erect the rails before finishing work on their vehicles.
Rebekah Hyatt and Andrew Matthes coordinated all the final checks for each of the rockets, while Brazoswood students worked through their Flight Readiness Reviews. WSMR range personnel assisted the team.
For the third year, the now Texas A&M college students, Caleb Lengefeld, Kash Kneuper, and Taylor Long, volunteered to help on range again. They helped set up the pad, the rails, and load the gas tank truck. For launches tomorrow they will again assist as needed at the pad and help Andrew with the Nitrous and Gox bottles. All three said they were still really enjoying seeing the program in action, helping with it.
Schools Participating are Alamo Heights, Union Grove, and Brazoswood. Alamo Heights and Braopswood were fit with charges and loaded onto the rails for launch tomorrow morning. Union Grove will load the rail tomorrow as the third launch. They have been ready and waiting today.
Pop up showers passed over the site throughout the day, occasionally dropping just enough rain to settle the dust and keep the temps in the 80’s instead of yesterday’s 100+ degrees. Steve had complained about how bad the dust was driving in. We could not even see the cars in front and behind us. He was going to ask Dante if he could get the road watered down before tomorrow. Well Dante didn’t but the skies above complied for him.
Some minor mishaps slowed what would have otherwise been a great timeline for the day. The bolts were accidentally switched on the rails which slowed the progress of construction but it was something managable. The we had no power to the launch system. After searching out most of the system’s wiring we discovered it was just a lose main connector. The unfortunate part was that it literally took hours to diagnose and test. The wood bolts for the gas truck rack were also missing, but they were able to find some other hardware to use to get it mounted.
Inspite of the challenges, our caravan of vehicles plus WSMR personnel vehicles left the test site by 4:00 headed in for the evening. Food and showers were top priorities upon returning to the hotels.We all headed to Chilli’s for dinner at 6:00 and were there until almost 8:00. A few SystemsGo personnel went to Walmart again after dinner for a few more provisions.
Launch order for Saturday is as follows:
- Alamo Heights
- Brazoswood
- Union Grove
Saturday’s schedule is the following:
- Saturday, June 25th
- Launch Day – All three Rockets
- Depart for WSMR by 5:00 a.m. for 6:30 a.m. arrival on site.
- Projected launch schedule:
- T1 8:00 am. -Alamo Heights
- T2 10:00 am. – Brazoswood
- T3 12:00 pm. -Union Grove
- 4:00 pm. – Range Time Ends
SystemsGo now has two launch rails and both will be in operation tomorrow. A rocket will be loaded onto each rail and then tested in sequence with only time out for safety. The launch team will be required to evacuate during each launch; and then return to swap out gas and electrical connections between the rails.
Launches are to commence at 8:00 am. Saturday morning. All SystemsGo personnel and schools will be headed out to the range at 5:00 am.
After the first two launches, WSMR personnel will attempt to locate and retrieve the rockets for the students while the other rocket is loaded onto the rails. Mission complete will be at 4:00 pm. and all personnel must leave the range. If all three launch on time then everyone will be asked to help tear down and pack up equipment before leaving.
Realistically, this is a very tight launch sequence with little to no room for errors. As we know, errors can and do occasionally happen and can cause severe delays in the launch schedule and hinder time availability.
Best of luck to all schools so that they may have a successful launch 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.
#Rockets2024 #SystemsGo #RideTheSky #Texasrockettrail #WSMRRocketLaunch2024 #EyesOnThe Sky
On the Wings of Angels 