Thursday marked the beginning of the last leg of the Texas Rocket Trail for Rockets 2026, and the first day of launches in Smith Point.
Luckily, we had good weather for testing today, unlike last Friday in Central Texas. There was a significant delay due to cloud ceiling and rocket readiness. The first rocket didn’t launch until 1:58 this afternoon. Seventeen rockets out of 21 originally on the schedule.
One more made it to the rail, but had to return to Stage 3. It will get a chance to launch tomorrow.
Recovery had a good day and brought back about 15 of the 17 rockets launched. We had 5 teams plus a couple of floaters, so the area was well covered. There were a few that mission control collected due to the close proximity of their landing.
Brazoswood graduate, Ava Andrews, and Gloria Burns, Fredericksburg graduate returned to help RSO at Stage 1 and 2. Austin Hodges, Anahuac graduate, and Navy retirey, returned to work the pad, along with Jaxon Fowler, Fredericksburg graaduate, also helped with the pad, media, recovery and what ever Mrs. Hyatt asked.
We had one local dignitary at the launches this year. Texas Housse of Representative District 23, Terri Leo Wilson, was present hoping to watch a few launches. Unfortunately we were in a waiting pattern and instead she talked to students and SystemsGo team members.
Dr. Sallie K. Janes from San Jacinto College was also onsite. She sat with the voice of rockets, Joyce Abbey, meetin students as they took pictures with their rockets and took them down to the pad.
The last volley of launches was ended at 7:05 p.m. The teams left the site at 7:40 p.m. headed for the Oyster Bayoo Hunting Club for dinner. Chicken Florentine, Sauteed squash, garlic bread, salad, and spice cake for dessert was tonight’s menu.
After dinner several left, and others went to bed, while others visited and I worked on this blog. Then little by little they all headed to bed since tomotrrow is another early morning.
Tommorrow, Friday, May 8, boasts another 17 rockets, plus at least one from today. At some point in the weekend, ACS’s rocket will launch since they were unable to last weekend as their rocket got hung up in customs.
There is a 70% probability of rain as early as 9:00 a.m. tomorrow. Hopefully it will hold out until after launches so that we do not have to delay and go into contingency on Sunday.
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/SystemsGoNews
https://www.facebook.com/ginger.burow
Festivities continue with launches resuming Friday and Saturday.
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 Southeast Texas/Smith Point launch date begins Friday. Livestream links and schools are also listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org .
Southeast Texas Launches
- Friday, May 8, 2026
- 4 Schools participating Friday at Smith Point
- 17 expected rockets for testing on Friday.
- Watch the Livestream here: Rockets 2026 Live Stream
- 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.
- 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
- Here is what 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
- Any member of the public wishing to attend a launch is required to register online and agree toLaunch Day Entry Form / Waiver
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, links listed above, 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 you enjoyed this year’s launches!
#RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2026 #EyesontheSkies #EyesToTheSkies
On the Wings of Angels 