Southeast Texas Rockets started off Tuesday and Wednesday with travel and set up days in Smith Point. The team headed to Smith Point Tuesday and spent that evening and Wednesday morning setting up all stages and the pad. They had a strange anomally this year, as they completed everything that could be done before the last morning done by noon on Wednesday. They even got to come back to the Oyster Bayou Hunting Club where we stay these days, and have lunch and a nap.
That probably explains why Steve and I had just the opposite as we tried to get there today. We took the dog to daycare and loaded up his truck and proceeded to park vehicles in safe places only to discover that the truck had a serious antifreeze leak. At that point we pulled the four runner back out, loaded everything from the truck into it and started again. What was supposed to be 8:30 or 9:00 became 10:00. And with that came the front and a wicked storm. Luckily we skirted it as we drove, but some reports from Willow City, Sandy and Stonewall showed anywhere from pea to softball size hail, not a good thing.
After one rain out day in Central Texas that resulted in no launches on Friday and having to double up on what turned out to be a fabulous day of launching on Saturday with 39 rockets tested, we are hoping for no rain delays for this weekend. Rain is predicted for this weekend, so delays are a strong possibility, but we are keeping a hopeful outlook on blue skies and rockets sailing high on all three days. And unfortunately mosquitoes are a strong possibility as well. So if you are coming to SETX Rockets 2026 bring your spray! Luckily a nice breeze will keep them at bay, so let’s hope we have that all over the launch site, and not just at Trinity bay.
Kirk Moore and his crew were able to set up tents and mark the pad on Monday. SystemsGo Team members began arriving Tuesday and finishing set up for Stage 1, 2, 3, Mission Control and the Pad and do pad tests. Joyce Abby will again join us to be the “voice of rockets.” Honestly I can’t imagine rockets without her and her wealth of rocket history and knowledge.
The team is once again staying in Anahuac at Oyster Bayou Hunting Club. It is much closer our launch site in Smith Point. It has a great rooms, nice owners, Gene Campbell and his wife, who even provide food, and a very cozy feel.
The team finished early at the site so they spent the evening at the club playing 42, having drinks, and eating red pork tacos, with home made chips and salso for dinner, all supplied by the owner, and cooked by their wonderful cook, Amanda. This is indeed a wonderful treat for all of us. Usually it is a late night dinner where ever we can find open when we finish at the range.
The original schedule listed 12 schools and 50 rockets slated for testing this weekend in Smith Point.
Twenty-one rockets are scheduled for Thursday, as festivities begin.
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
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.
Concessions are provided again this year. We have a new vendor from New Beginning’s Restaurant in Anahuac. Below is there menu for the weekend.
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 Southeast Texas/Smith Point launch date begins Thursday. Livestream links and schools are also listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org
Southeast Texas/Smith Point Launches, Thursday, May 7 – Saturday, May 9
- Thursday, May 7, 2026
- 6 are Schools participating Thursday at Smith Point
- 21 expected rockets for testing on Friday.
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- Launch Site & All Stages: 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
South of Anahuac, near Smith Point, Texas - Southeast Texas Map Links
SETX Check In / Stage 1 and 2
SETX Mission Control / Launch Site - Schools participating: Hardin-Jefferson HS, Harleton HS, North Shore HS, Anahuac HS, Brazoswood HS, Kingwood Park HS, Hargrave HS, Ball HS, Friendswood HS, Dobie HS and Summer Creek HS
- 50 expected rockets for testing
- Watch the Livestream here: Rockets 2026 Live Stream
- New for this year, a recovery map link will be available for the schools to see pictures uploaded by recovery teams showing where and how their rockets were recovered. 2026 Recovered Rockets Data
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.
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 toLaunch Day Entry Form / Waiver
Scan or Click
There is no charge, but proof of registration is required before entering the site. You will be issued arm bands as proof and you must have them on at all times.
Questions and concerns may be directed to info@systemsgo.org.
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!
#RideTheSkies #TexasRocketTrail #Rockets2026 #EyesToTheSkies
On the Wings of Angels 