Tag: Alamo Heights High School

2024 SystemsGo Rocket Launch Event Preparations for White Sands Missile Range

The SystemsGo team left Fredericksburg in two shifts, one at 5:30 a.m. and the second at 9:15 a.m. this morning headed to Alamogordo,, New Merxico for lodging for White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) rocket launches. Schools from Union Grove, Alamo Heights and Brazoswood also traveled to Alamogordo today to meet and begin preparations for launches this Saturday

The early crew, Rebekah Hyatt, George Burns and Andrew Matthes, set up in the parking lot of the Quality Inn and Suites to preform pressure and FRR checks for Union Grove Thursday afternoon .

Alamo Heights did their pressure test and FRR on Wednesday, but the pressure test will be redone at WSMR for safety.

Steve, Ginger, Caleb and Cash arrived in Alamogordo at 6:00 p.m. Taylor drove in to New Mexico from California, arriving in Alamogordo slightly before us. We all reported driving through pretty serious dust storms on the way here.

As soon as we arrived everyone piled in the van and the SystemsGo team went to La Hacienda for dinner. The tea was good, the service was excellent, as was the salsa. The food was ok. Unfortunately our favorite Mexican place, Margos has permanently closed down, and C J’s Si Senore was packed and close to closing. After dinner our van load went to Wal-Mart for provisions for on the range the next two days.

Portable restrooms are available at the site. Limited electricity is available. Each school is responsible for acquiring food and drinks for their group for all meals and snacks each day. WSMR is not supplying any food this year.

All documentation was completed and turned in to Rebekah Hyatt, Thursday evening upon arrival.

  • UXO, Wildlife, and Driving in WSMR briefing registry
  • WSMR waiver
  • SystemsGo waiver
  • Medical Release Forms

Be prepared to show ID’s at the security check at the gate in the morning.

There are three schools scheduled to launch three rockets. These include:

  • Alamo Heights
  • Brazoswood
  • Union Grove

The current launch schedule is as follows:

  • Friday, June 14th
    1. Depart for site from hotel by 5:00 a.m.
    2. Meet at Tula Gate for Security Checks at 5:45 a.m.
    3. Alamo Heights and Union Grove will be in our caravan from the hotel. Brazoswood will meet us enroute to the Tula Gate.
    4. Travel to ABC-1 at 6:00 a.m.
    5. Site Set up at ABC-1 upon arrival.
    6. Complete all rockets.
    7. 4:00 p.m. Leave the site with Alamo Heights and Brazoswood on the rails and Union Grove completed and ready to load the rail.
  • Saturday, June 15th
  • Launch Day – Three Rockets
  • Depart from Hotel by 5:00 a.m. for 5:45 a.m. arrival at Tula Gate for Security checks.
  • Depart Gate to ABC-1 6:00 a.m.
  • Projected launch schedule:
    • T1 8:00 a.m. – Alamo Heights
    • T2 9:00 a.m. – Brazoswood
    • T3 11:00 a.m – Union Grove
    • All rockets launched by 2:00 p.m.
    • Break for Lunch as each team has time.
    • Pack up site.
    • Range Time Ends – 4:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 25th
  • Travel Day/Contingency Day/Cleanup/Fun Day (To be determined.)
  • Monday, June 26th
  • Travel Day only if needed. Hopefully we are already home Mission Complete.

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. This marks the final senior project for the schools that participate in for the SystemsGo program.

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 benefited.

#Rockets2024 #SystemsGo #Launcher01 #RideTheSky #Texasrockettrail #EyesOnTheSky #TexasToNewMexicoRocketTrail #RideTheSky2024

White Sands Missile Range SystemsGo Rocket Program 2024

White Sands Missile Range is once again hosting the SystemsGo Rocket Program again for its season end launches. This year three schools will be traveling to New Mexico to test their rockets at White Sands Missile Range, they include: Alamo Heights HS, Brazoswood HS, and Union Grove HS.

June 14th through June 16th are the dates for this year’s WSMR launch.  The SystemsGo team and schools will be traveling to Alamogordo, New Mexico for lodging on June 13th. Early on the 14th, preparations at the site will be made with the goal of launching all three rockets Saturday.  The 16th, Sunday, is our contingency day, but the hope is that it will not be needed. Sunday is Father’s Day and WSMR personnel would prefer not to work and we would love to be on the road home.

We continue to launch from range ABC1. This range required the altitude cap for the rockets to be adjusted from the original height cap which was 100,000 feet. The current cap instituted three years ago is 50,000 feet. ABC-1 does not have a large bunker, so only essential launch personnel stay on site, and the SG staff evacuate out five miles for launches. Students and teachers are taken to a secure location known as Tula G, which is further down range where they watch the launches on screen inside a designated facility.

There will be tents on the range, the same as last year. Rockets need to be complete by the end of the day on Friday.

The T-1schedule on Saturday will be very tight. Range time begins at 7:00 am and ends at 4:00 pm. The range is Hot all day for us, which translates to as soon as we can reset and be ready to launch again, WSMR is ready to assist. This should make keeping the schedule and sending all three rockets skyward a viable task for Saturday.

If Mission is Complete on Saturday evening, then evening activities may include some White Sands National Park dune sledding.

SystemsGo team members will be residing at the Quality Inn and Suites in Alamogordo this year.

There are three schools scheduled to launch their rockets. These include:

  • Alamo Heights
  • Brazoswood
  • Union Grove

The current launch schedule is as follows:

  • Thursday, June 13th
    1. Travel Day
    2. Pressure Checks and FRRs that evening at the hotels.
    3. Security checks of all Form 5000s
  • Friday, June 14th
    1. Site Set up ABC-1 7:00
    2. Depart for site from hotel–TBA
    3. Complete all rockets.
    4. 3:00 p.m. Leave the site with Alamo Heights and Brazoswood on the rails.
  • Saturday, June 15th
    1. Launch Day (Three Rockets, barring any schedule changes by WSMR.)
    2. Depart from hotel for arrival on site–TBA
    3. Projected launch schedule:
      • T1 8:00 a.m.
      • T2 9:00 a.m.
      • T3 11:00 a.m.
  • Airspace Ends – 4:00 p.m.
  • Pack site
  • Evening Activities as time allows.
  • Sunday, June 16th
    1. Travel Day-Contingency Day only if absolutely needed. WSMR does not want to work on Father’s Day.
  • Monday, June 17th
    1. Travel Day-Hopefully we are already home.

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. This marks the final senior project for the schools that participate in for the SystemsGo program.

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 benefited.

#Rockets2024 #SystemsGo #Launcher01 #RideTheSky #Texasrockettrail #EyesOnTheSkies #TexasToNewMexicoRocketTrail #RideTheSky2024

Rockets 2024, Friday, May 3, Central Texas/Stonewall Weather Weary Launch Report

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Central Texas/Stonewall:

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

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

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

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

www.systemsgo.org as always is the place for more information on this program. You may also email them at info@systemsgo.org . Take the time to get your school involved. Your students’ futures will benefit.

Hope to see you at the launches!

#RideTheSkies #TexasRocketTrail #Rockets2024 #EyesToTheSkies

Rockets 2023-WSMR, Saturday Launch Day Report and Mission Complete with Accolades

Three schools tested rockets at White Sands Missile Range today. Brazoswood,  Alamo Heights and Union Grove comprised.

Our first T time was at 8:15 a.m. with Union Grove was the rail ready for launch. Ignition was a go, but unfortunately the nitrous valve did not function properly causing the rocket to burn up on the rail. The vehicle sat burning on the rail for around 30 minutes causing unrepairable damage to the rocket, as it melted through the aluminum body at the aft section. The motor bay broke away from the body, tilting forward, allowing the long body section to fall into it but still all remained on the rail. It had to be extinguished a couple of times and then left to cool until after the next rocket had launched.

Alamo Heights loaded onto the rail next. At 11:15 a.m. they achieved a successful launch in spite of their vent nozzle staying open allowing full vent during fill and launch. Their vehicle was supposed to be fitted with an internal vent flow that would have allowed it to regulate its own vent throughout the whole fill and launch correctly instead of SG having to manually vent, but he believed the students had forgotten to install it. Either way, they had a wonderful flight reaching an altitude of 23,000 AGL. This is one of their best flights in a long while.

Brazoswood was the final launch of the day at around 1:15 p.m.. This year’s launch was nothing short of amazing as well. They made 28,000 AGL, leaving a trail that could be followed in the sky for quite a while. High level winds made it to angel into the wind which caused a loss in some altitude. One of their students set tracking computers using satelites to find and follow the vehicle and mark it’s speed. His preliminary findings suggested the rocket came down under chute, and it actually did. This is a new first. There was one nose cone in 2019 that came down under chute but this accomplished all chutes deploying and all pieces recovered by WSMR today. Great job on that recovery system students.

At 3:30 p.m. WSMR called called everyone in for lunch as they cooked hamburgers and hotdogs for the teams and work crews. The SG teams stopped dismantling the launch pad and joined in for lunch, after which we continued our work, completing tear down and pack up by 4:00 p.m.

Test Center Commander, Colonel Smart, was originally scheduled to be onsite today, but a scheduling conflict made that impossible. However Lori Leyva and her crews were there supporting the launched and so before we left, Rebekah made presentations of certificates to Lori and also Chris Madsen, along with t-shirts and caps to them and all there crew members.

It was most definitely a beautiful launch set this year at WSMR. Great job schools!

Mission was called complete by WSMR at 4:50 p.m. today and all teams and schools pulled away from the site.

Our first stop this evening was for a shower to remove all the dirt devil dust it covered us in multiple times, followed by dinner at Si Senor’s Mexican Food, and a sunset trip to the White Sands Monument Dunes for a quick slide in the light of a red orange sky and the sun dropped quickly behind the horizon.

Tomorrow’s schedule will be a call to load and head home, starting on the road by 8:00 a.m.

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.

#Rockets2023 #TexasRocketTrail #EyesonTheSkies #Ridetheskies #ItisRocketScience #TexasToNewMexicoRocketTrail

Rockets 2023 Arrived in Alamogordo, Thursday for WSMR Launches on Saturday

The SystemsGo team left Fredericksburg at in two shifts, one at 6:00 a.m. and the second at 8:30 a.m. this morning headed to Alamogordo, for lodging for White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) rocket launches in New Mexico. Schools from Union Grove, Alamo Heights and Brazoswood also traveled to Alamogordo today to meet and begin preparations for launches this Saturday

The early crew, Rebekah Hyatt and George Burns, set up by 3:00 p.m.in the parking lot of the Quality Inn and Suites to preform pressure and FRR checks for Union Grove and Alamo Heights teams. At 8:45 p.m. the SystemsGo team walked to Applebee’s for dinner as the students from Alamo Heights were still evaluating their rocket and finishing configuration.

Portable restrooms are available at the site. Limited electricity is available. Each school is responsible for acquiring food and drinks for their group for all meals and snacks each day, except lunch on launch day will be provided by WSMR.

All documentation was completed and turned in to Rebekah Hyatt, Thursday evening upon arrival.

  • UXO, Wildlife, and Driving in WSMR briefing registry
  • WSMR waiver
  • SystemsGo waiver
  • Medical Release Forms

Be prepared to show ID’s at the security check at the gate in the morning.

There are three schools scheduled to launch four rockets. These include:

  • Union Grove
  • Alamo Heights
  • Brazoswood

The current launch schedule is as follows:

  • Friday, June 23rd
    1. Depart for site from hotel by 7:15 a.m.
    2. Meet at Tula Gate for Security Checks at 8:00 a.m.
    3. Alamo Heights and Union Grove will be in our caravan from the hotel. Brazoswood will meet us at the Tula Gate.
    4. Travel to ABC-1 at 9:00 a.m.
    5. Site Set up at ABC-1 upon arrival.
    6. Complete all rockets.
    7. Leave the site with Union Grove and Alamo Heights on the rails and Brazoswood completed and ready to load the rail by 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 24th
  • Launch Day (Three Rockets, barring any schedule changes by WSMR.)
  • Depart from Hotel by 5:15 a.m. for 6:00 a.m. arrival at Tula Gate for Security checks.
  • Depart Gate to ABC-1 6:30 a.m.
  • Projected launch schedule:
    • T1 8:00 a.m. –
    • T2
    • T3
    • All rockets launched by 2:00 p.m.
    • Break for Lunch 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
    • Range Time Ends – 4:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 25th
  • Contingency Day/Cleanup/Fun Day/ Travel (To be determined.)
  • Monday, June 26th
  • Travel Day

The schedule as seen above is a preliminary estimate, and though accurate as stated by Program Director, Rebekah Hyatt, at the moment, is subject to changes and adjustments as needed per WSMR necessities.

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. This marks the final senior project for the schools that participate in for the SystemsGo program.

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 benefited.

#Rockets2023 #SystemsGo #Launcher01 #RideTheSky #Texasrockettrail #EyesOnTheSkies #TexasToNewMexicoRocketTrail

2023 Marks 25 Years White Sands Missile Range Hosts Student Rockets

2023 is a year of milestones for the Fredericksburg based STEM rocket program beginning with White Sands Missile Range hosting the SystemsGo Rocket Program again for its season end launches. This event marks the 25th year the STEM based program has brought high school seniors to the Army Base to test the program’s highest-level rockets, known as Goddard. It would have marked 25 consecutive years, but COVID took out 2020 putting the numbers behind by a year. The program took its first rocket from Fredericksburg High School to WSMR in 1999. The nonprofit organization supporting this STEM program in schools officially began in June of 2003, making this 2023 season its 20th Anniversary as well. This year three schools will be traveling to New Mexico to test their rockets at White Sands Missile Range, they include: Alamo Heights HS, Brazoswood HS and Union Grove HS.

June 23rd through June 25th are the dates for this year’s WSMR launch.  The SystemsGo team and schools will be traveling to Alamogordo, New Mexico for lodging on June 22nd. Early on the 23rd, preparations at the site will be made with the goal of launching all three rockets Saturday afternoon.  The 25th is our contingency day, but it is only a contingency for completing cleanup at the site, or if WSMR must delay our launches. It will not be a day to recycle rockets that fail.

We continue to launch from range ABC1. This range required the altitude cap for the rockets to be adjusted from the 20-mile radius the program previously had available for these test vehicles to travel and stay within their parameters. The original height cap was 100,000 feet. The current cap instituted two years ago is 50,000 feet. ABC-1 does not have a large bunker, so only essential launch personnel stay on site, and the SG staff evacuate out five miles for launches. Students and teachers are taken to a secure location known as Tula G, which is further down range where they watch the launches on screen inside a designated facility. Parents are no longer allowed to come, since the theater at Mission Control is no longer the viewing area. Volunteer staffing of base personnel for this has still not resumed.

Schools are asked to arrive early on the 22nd in Alamogordo to do pressure checks with as little time spent on configuration as possible. At least two vehicles need to have this stage complete before heading down range on the 23rd.  Preferably very little time will be spent on assembly on the 23rd. Some weight, CG, and FFR verification can be done if needed downrange the 23rd.  There will be tents on the range, the same as last year. Rockets need to be complete by the end of the day on Friday.

The first T time on Saturday will be 8:00 a.m. After that the range is Hot all day for us, which translates to as soon as we can reset and be ready to launch again, WSMR is ready to assist. This should make keeping the schedule and sending all three rockets skyward a viable task for Saturday.

WSMR personnel, including Test Center Commander, Colonel Shawanta Smart, and Range Operator, Lori Leyva, will be on site during the launches. WSMR will be providing lunch for all participants. Colonel Smart began her command in August of 2021, making this her second rocket season with the program. She stopped in last year for a brief visit, but plans to be onsite to see more of how the program operates. Ms. Leyva will be retiring after this year. Her service in coordinating SystemsGo and WSMR in launch efforts has been extremely beneficial to the program over the years she has been with us. SystemsGo will be making special presentations during the lunch break.

Saturday is a contingency day, but preferably it should be no more than a site cleanup day if needed that morning. Provided that we accomplish this early the remainder of the day’s activities will be decided at that time.

SystemsGo team members will be residing at the Quality Inn and Suites in Alamogordo this year.

There are three schools scheduled to launch four rockets. These include:

  • Union Grove
  • Alamo Heights
  • Brazoswood

The current launch schedule is as follows:

  • Thursday, June 22nd
    1. Travel Day
    2. Pressure Checks and FRRs that evening at the hotels.
    3. Security checks of all Form 5000s
  • Friday, June 23rd
    1. Site Set up ABC-1 9:00- 9:30 a.m.
    2. Depart for site from hotel by 7:45 a.m.
    3. Complete all rockets.
    4. Leave the site with Union Grove and Alamo Heights on the rails.
  • Saturday, June 24th
    1. Launch Day (Three Rockets, barring any schedule changes by WSMR.)
    2. Depart from hotel by 4:45 a.m. for 6:00 a.m. arrival on site.
    3. Projected launch schedule:
      • T1 8:00 a.m. –
      • T2
      • T3
      • Break for Lunch 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
      • Range Time Ends – unspecified currently.
  • Sunday, June 25th
    1. Contingency Day/Cleanup/Fun Day/ Travel (To be determined.)
  • Monday, June 26th
    1. Travel Day

The schedule as seen above is a preliminary estimate, and though accurate as stated by Program Director, Rebekah Hyatt, at the moment, is subject to changes and adjustments as needed once the entire group is in New Mexico.

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. This marks the final senior project for the schools that participate in for the SystemsGo program.

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 benefited.

#Rockets2023 #SystemsGo #Launcher01 #RideTheSky #Texasrockettrail #EyesOnTheSkies #TexasToNewMexicoRocketTrail

Rockets 2023 Central Texas/Stonewall Launches ended today, Saturday, May 6, 2023

Rockets 2023, Central Texas Edition, ended today. The original schedule listed 15 rockets for today. Petrolia HS had two rockets that moved from the launch in North Texas last weekend to this one, and Fredericksburg HS relaunched an earlier rocket that had been unsatisfactory, so that brought totals to 18 for the day.

Launching began a 11:41a.m. and ended at 5:35. The team packed up the site afterwards and finally headed for home around 8:00 p.m. Launches went well albeit a little slow clearing through to the rails.

The Alamo Heights Media students were helping Phil Houseal with interviewing, livestream and general media coverage today. They interviewed Steve, Layla, and I to find out about the roles of the recovery teams.

It has been a long, fun, but tiring weekend. Everyone was ready for some much needed R and R.

This completed the Central Texas launches. Next week the team moves to Southeast Texas to launch from Smith Point near Anahuac, Texas. Currently 38 rockets are scheduled for testing on Thursday and Friday at that site. It will be the last leg of the spring launches for Rockets 2023.

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

More details will be available here each day for next week’s event. Reports featuring schedule links, school names, results, 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, the future of your students will be benefited.

Hope to see you at the launches!

#RideTheSkies #TexasRocketTrail #Rockets2023 #EyesToTheSkies

Rockets 2023, Friday, May 5, Central Texas/Stonewall Launch Report

Rockets 2023, Central Texas/Stonewall Edition, continued today. The original schedule listed 26 rockets for today. Three rockets aborted, bringing the total launched to 23.

Georgetown arrived at Stage 3 first with 7 vehicles, making the first full volley all theirs, with rockets in the air starting at 10:51 a.m. Mission Complete was at 7:07 p.m. It was a slightly longer day today.

Tomorrow only 15 rockets are on the schedule, as compared to Thursday’s 18 and today’s 23. Numbers do not mean a thing when it comes to rockets. Tomorrow could be a short day, as is the hope, or another long one. Test vehicles like these quite often push the time schedules. Weather effects the schedule as well. We have been under Severe weather watches all weekend, and the possibility is still there. It has been on our side so far, let us hope tomorrow will hold off until we are done as well. The team would like to call it complete early.

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

An author and a photographer from Texas Coop Magazine were onsite today, watching the program, taking photos and talking to people involved in the program. They plan a future article for the program in an upcoming edition of the magazine.

Past SystemsGo student and current NASA Flight Director for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Bekah Sosland Siegfriedt, brought her family out to watch today’s event. She is responsible for putting The Perseverance Rover on Mars.

Program originator, Brett Williams, also stopped in today.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Central Texas/Stonewall:

  • Saturday, May 6, 2023
  • 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 2023 Flight Schedule for Saturday
Saturday, May 6, 2023
School Name / Teacher1/1Trans
London                             Toni Castle11
Alamo Heights           Colin Lang32
Canon City                    Chad Ford22
New Tech Odessa      Maria Lopez4 
   
   
 4
Schools Launching
Totals105
Total Rockets15
  • Schools participating this year in Stonewall: Fabens HS, Fredericksburg HS, Johnson HS, Hamilton HS, Kingwood HS, Marble Falls HS, Roosevelt HS, Georgetown HS, Atascocita HS, Victoria East HS, Harleton HS, London HS, New Tech Odessa HS, Alamo Heights HS, Union Grove HS, McGregor HS, Canon City HS
  • 15 rockets slated for testing on Saturday.
  • A Livestream for each launch will be provided and will be available at www.systemsgo.org on the Events page each day.

The sites will be open to admittance for students and teachers only at 6:00 a.m. Projected start time for launches is 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.

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 #Rockets2023 #EyesToTheSkies

Rockets 2023 Central Texas/Stonewall Thursday Evening Launch Report

Today was the first day of launches for the Rockets 2023 Central Texas Launch Event here in Stonewall, Texas. 22 rockets were originally slated for testing. At Mission Complete for the day, 18 were launched, and four were no shows. Recovery retrieved all but three and returned them to the students. Two of the Recovery teams headed up by the launch area landowners were still searching for the missing three ballistic rockets, so they may be waiting at the site when everyone returns for tomorrow’s launches.

It was a slow start for lift offs from the Pad today, with the first and only rocket in that volley screaming into the sky at 11:10 a.m. after the cloud ceiling holding us a bay finally permitting a window. Unfortunately, those same clouds kept rockets on the rails waiting until 1:45 p.m. Heavy clouds moved in after that volley, so lunch was called, but the afternoon sky showed its blue beauty for the rest of the afternoon allowing a continuous flow of vehicles skyward. All rockets for the day were complete by 5:00 p.m.

A possibility of rain and severe weather was predicted for the afternoon and evening, but held off, so that was a blessing for the day. Weather can either make for quick turnarounds on launches, if vehicles are waiting to go, or cause lengthy delays or daily aborts to flight schedules. Currently the local forecast still has the potential for storms and rain, so the sooner your rocket gets to the rail the better chance you will see it launch if weather persists.

As for the launches, themselves, they were an interesting kaleidoscope of flips, turns, tailspins, dives, and self-destruction as all left the rail. Many had beautiful flights, but only a few had perfect deployment and easy landing. Others broke into body, coming in on a dive and chute floating away in a different direction making locating all pieces challenging. While others did a post launch ballet in the sky and thumped to the ground in the vicinity of Pad and Mission Control, which did make them easier to locate.

The 2023 Brett Williams Scholarship was presented to Andrew Mills from Fredericksburg High School on site today. Andrew and his parents took photos for the presentation with SystemsGo Executive Director, Rebekah Hyatt.

SystemsGo has been giving a chance to “Launch A Rocket” as a raffle prize at local events for the past few years. This year’s winner was Stonewall native, Bernice Burg. Mrs. Burg came out today to collect on her prize. She was instructed on the Fill and Fire system at Mission Control, and then launched several rockets in one volley. Afterwards Program Director, George Burns, took her to the Pad to watch a rocket launch from the Bunker. When asked what she thought, she responded that she enjoyed the whole experience and was really glad she came.

Pictures from the above-mentioned events, and rockets as well as 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

Festivities continue with launches resuming tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday at the Sammy Segner Ranch on Double Horn Road and Stages 1 and 2 will be at the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce building.

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

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

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

Central Texas/Stonewall:

  • Friday, May 5, 2023
  •  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 2023 Flight Schedule for Friday
  • Friday, May 5, 2023
    School Name / Teacher 1/1 Trans
    Victoria East      John Reilly 4
    Hamilton           Tom Parrish 1 1
    McGregor           Jonathan Whatley 1 1
    Georgetown      Nicole Bolen 5 2
    Fabens                Julieta Banuelas 3 1
    Atascocita          Amy Keesecker 6 1
     

    6
    Schools Launching
    Totals 20 6
    Total Rockets 26
  • Schools participating this year in Stonewall: Fabens HS, Fredericksburg HS, Johnson HS, Hamilton HS, Kingwood HS, Marble Falls HS, Roosevelt HS, Georgetown HS, Atascocita HS, Victoria East HS, Harleton HS, London HS, New Tech Odessa HS, Alamo Heights HS, Union Grove HS, McGregor HS, Canon City HS
  • 26 expected rockets for testing on Friday.
  • A Livestream for each launch will be provided and will be available at www.systemsgo.org/events as each launch date arrives. Friday’s is as follows:

The sites will be open to admittance for students and teachers only at 6:00 a.m. Projected start time for launches is between 8:00 a.m. and 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.

More details will be available here each day. Reports featuring schedule links, school names, results, 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, the future of your students will be benefited.

Hope to see you at the launches!

#RideTheSkies2023 #TexasRocketTrail #Rockets2023 #EyesToTheSkies

 

Rockets 2023 Continues with Central Texas/Stonewall Launches Starting Tomorrow, Thursday, May 4-Saturday, May 6, 2023

The Central Texas Launches sail into the skies over Stonewall, Texas starting tomorrow, May 4, 2023. This is the third in the series for the Tsiolkovsky and Oberth level vehicles of the Rockets 2023 season.

The SystemsGo Team spent well into the evening 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. The FHS “Grub Uber Alles” Culinary Arts Trailer set up shop and began preparing to provide concessions for the weekend. Later LCRA and Bee Creek Communications brought in equipment to provide 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 63 rockets scheduled for launch by 17 schools at the Stonewall location for Rockets 2023. 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 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 4- Saturday, May 6, Weather Contingency Day-Sunday, May 7
  • 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 2023 Flight Schedule
  • Thursday, May 4, 2023
    School Name / Teacher 1/1 Trans
    Fredericksburg         Andrew Matthes   2
    Union Grove                Greg Park/Rhonda Baker 1 1
    Marble Falls              Lindsey Todesco 1  
    Kingwood                   Kevin Thomas 4 4
    Roosevelt                    Jared Warsing 2 1
    Harleton                       Gwen Wright 1 1
    Johnson HS             Bryant Griessel 2 2
         
         
         
     

     

    7
    Schools Launching
    Totals 11 11
    Total Rockets 22
  • Schools participating: Fredericksburg HS, Kingwood HS, Marble Falls HS, Union Grove, Roosevelt HS, Johnson HS, Harleton HS
  • 22 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