Tag: Hardin-Jefferson High School

The Texas Rocket Trail 2024 Started in Southeast Texas/Smith Point Today, Friday, May 10

Friday marked the beginning  of the last leg of the Texas Rocket Trail for Rockets 2024, and the first day of launches in Smith Point. Luckily, we had good weather for testing today, unlike last weekend in Central Texas . The original schedule listed 20 rockets for testing, but by day’s end 18 were tested and three of those took two attempts before successfully leaving the rail.

 In all it was a good day of steady launches. Of the 18 launched today, only 9 were recovered. Of those unrecovered, several were ballistic re-entries some only marked by sound no sight, one sunk in the bay, and a another landed in a gator nest. Some may yet be recovered as time allows tomorrow, but often ballistic landings are hard to locate unless their is a direct line of sight, which none of these had.

The Pad had a great day with a fairly steady stream of launches, and a lot of good help. Returning alumni, Austin Hodges from Anahuac, now active Navy, and Chelsea Burow Chadwick, from Fredericksburg, residing in Hewitt and working as a test technician for SpaceX were leads on the Pad. Both seemed to really enjoy their return to SystemsGo launches and helping train new recruits.

ALFASAR was unable to participate in recovery this year, but between new recruits Dusty and Jessica brought in and some 18 year olds Coach Moore recruited 6 teams were established. A gentleman volunteer from JPL (Jet Prorulsion Labs) manned the recovery coordination and mapping to help the teams locate rockets.

The last volley of launches was a little later than the team  had hoped for, starting around 7:00 p.m. The teams left the site at 7:41p.m. headed for the Crawfish Hideaway for dinner. It was packed but we had called ahead and they accommodated the group.

A few of us skippped out of dinner in lue of a shower. Mosquitos were horrible today and we had been bathing in OFF all day and wanted to remove the bug spray.

Tommorrow, Saturday, May 11, boasted another 19 rockets. Abu Dhabi is slated for testing again tomorrow. Last year they had a beautiful flight, but it nosed dived in a ballistic fashion into the pond to the right of Mission Control. They were originally on Friday’s roster but moved to Saturday. This year they have two rockets.

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 tomorrow, 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/events/ .

Southeast Texas Launches

  • Saturday, May 11, 2024
  • 5 are Schools participating Friday at Smith Point
  • 17 expected rockets for testing on Friday.
Saturday, May 11, 2024
School Name / Teacher 1/1 Trans
Anahuac HS                         Kirk Moore 1 1
Hargrave                        Karen Brasher-Hinds 2
Summer Creek            Melissa Young 2 1
North Shore                  Brian King 3 3
Ball HS                          Laurent Langevine 4
American Community School  Kevin Collins 2
Schools Launching                               6
Totals 14 5
Total Rockets 17
  • 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:
  • Streaming Link May 11 SETX
  • 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 greatly benefited.

Hope you enjoyed this year’s launches!

#RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2024 #EyesontheSkies

Rockets 2024 Southeast Texas/Smith Point Launches Wednesday/Thursday Setup Recap and Friday Pregame – May 9

Southeast Texas Rockets started off Wednesday and Thursday with travel and set up days in Smith Point. After cloudy and rainy days in Central Texas that resulted in the rockets being tested without students on Monday and Tuesday, we are hoping for better weather this weekend.

Rain has inundated the area last week, and the site here in Smith Point already has more than it’s share of water standing around. Flood waters were present in all rivers and water ways on the trip down to Smith Point. The weather forecast was looking pretty good for the weekend at the beginning of the week, but warnings were already being issued for the state from the hill country through the east coast by this afternoon.  Light drizzle was falling at our courts in Oak Island by 8:00 this evening. We are still hopefull that tomorrow and the weekend will allow all rockets to fly before andy serious weather insues.

Kirk Moore and his crew were able to set up tents and mark the pad on Monday. SystemsGo Team members began arriving Wednesday and finishing set up for Stage 1, 2, 3, Mission Control and the Pad. They were unable to test the pad so that will be done in the morning. Communications will be established tomorrow as well. Phil Houseal is unable to come to this launch so Bert Mikosh will be manning the operations with help from students and other team members.

The drawbacks at the site so far have been standing water, alligators and mostly mosquitos! Bring the OFF, you will need it. Bring rubber boots, you will need them as well.

The team is once again trying out new accommodations here in Anahuac, as the Oak Island Resort and Hurricane Tita’s Bar and Grill closed down. So we moved farther down the water way closer to Trinity Bay into Oak Island Lodge. Community bathrooms for the group are a new experience, but we will survive. It has a great view of the water though the moquitos are swarming here as well.

We tried a new place this year for supper as a group. Tony’s Bar-Be-Que was pretty good. Some had BBQ, others had fish, shrimp, alligator bites, zucchini fries, fried pickles, fries, and stuffed jalepenos.

The original schedule listed 10 schools and 37 rockets slated for testing this weekend in Smith Point. Due to weather issues in other sites there may be some additions/subtractions to the schedule as some may travel here to attempt launching. There may also be schools that add or drop the number they are testing that were already listed as part of the schedule. Due to this, the schedules posted here are now an estimate as changes are not always published.

Twenty +/- rockets are scheduled for Friday, 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.

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/events/ .

Southeast Texas Launches

  • Friday, May 10, 2024
  • 5 are Schools participating Friday at Smith Point
  • 20 expected rockets for testing on Friday.
  • Friday, May 10, 2024
    School Name / Teacher 1/1 Trans
    American Community School Kevin Collins 2
    Brazoswood HS             Chris McLeod 4
    Friendswood HS               Jim Foreman 4
    Harden Jefferson            Mike Fogo 2 2
    Kingwood Park               Glenn Taylor 4 2
    Schools Launching                      5
    Totals 16 4
    Total Rockets                          20
  • 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:
  • Streaming Link May 10 SETX

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!

#RideTheSkies2024 #TexasRocketTrail #Rockets2024 #EyesToTheSkies

The Texas Rocket Trail 2023 Ended in Southeast Texas/Smith Point Friday

Friday marked the end of the Texas Rocket Trail for Rockets 2023, as the second and final day of launches in Smith Point boasted good weather and a steady line of rockets coming for testing. The original schedule listed 22 rockets for testing, but by day’s end one carryover from Thursday added and 5 vehicles dropped off the docket, leaving only 18 to launch which still creates a full day.

Most rockets left the rail on their first try, with only 4 having to make extra attempts after minor adjustments. In all it was a good day of steady launches. Of the 18 launched today, all but three were recovered. Of those three, one ballistic re-entry was only marked by sound no sight, one sunk in the bay, and a third land in a gator pond. The last might yet be recoverable with the use of an air boat in the next few days. Only time will tell if the students get it back, or if the gators will get to keep their new rocket.

Mission Complete was called at 6:40 and the sight was packed up by 7:45. The team had a final meal together for the spring season at Tita’s Hurricane Seafood Restaurant in Oak Island, visiting for a while and then heading to bed or home for the evening. It was another good year of launches, with great weather and good help to make everything go smoothly.

Spring launches are complete for 2023. The summer launches at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico are next up on the schedule in late June.

  • Schools participating on Friday were: Atascosita HS, North Shore HS, Brazoswood HS, Friendswood HS, Hargrave HS
  • A live feed for each launch in the spring series will be available for viewing at www.systemsgo.org/events  

Thank you for joining us for launch season, and for supporting the schools and youth that participate in the SystemsGo curriculum. Most of the team members that travel with SystemsGo are volunteer based. We support them to ensure the program continues. We have all seen first hand the impact this STEM education program has had on family members and community members students, and the futures it has afforded those who participated in it and went on to college and beyond, applying what they learned.

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 you enjoyed this year’s launches!

#RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2023 #EyesontheSkies

Rockets 2023 Southeast Texas/Smith Point Launches Thursday Recap

Southeast Texas Rockets started off Thursday in Smith Point. After a rainy and stormy set up day on Wednesday, we enjoyed partly cloudy skies, and a breeze for most of the day. It was humid and steamy, and puddles riddled the site, but it was still a manageable weather situation for the launches.

The drawbacks for the day were that we started off with the Internet and the port-a-potties still MIA to start the day. The Internet arrived for set up at 10:15, a good four hours into the day. Potties were closer to 11:00 leaving the spectators and workers alike waiting uncomfortably for their arrival. Both providers cited miscommunications on the timeline for the event.

Rockets started arriving in Stage 3 around 11:00, but the first full volley of launches was not until 1:22. One rocket came down pegging the top a volunteer’s car, denting the roof. That was the only hazard for the day. Our new school from the American Community Schools of Abudhabi, launched later in the afternoon. It was a beautiful launch, but the parachute system failed to deploy, and it came down as a ballistic lawn dart about 150 yards from Mission Control and was lost in a marshy bog. It was both a thrill and a disappointment for a group of students the traveled so far to participate.

19 rockets arrived for testing today. Of those, 17 were launched and left the rail, 1 had to abort at the end of the day, unable to complete their vehicle, and one though reworked several times had to push off until tomorrow for another chance at the rail. Five were left unrecovered, with the hope they may show up tomorrow. Mission Complete was called at 7:42 for the evening.

Twenty-two more rockets are scheduled for Friday.

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.

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 continues Friday. Livestream links and schools are also listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

Southeast Texas Launches

  • Friday, May 12, 2023
  • 12 are Schools participating this year in Smith Point
  • 22 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 Southeast Texas/Smith Point Launches This Thursday

The 2023 Texas Rocket Trail season is on it’s last leg of the junior series launches with the Southeast Texas/Smith Point testing site. Currently 38 vehicles are scheduled for testing by 12 schools at this site. Testing begins this week, May 11-12, with a weather contingency day to be used only if needed on May 13.

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

Southeast Texas/Smith Point

  • Thursday, May 11 – Saturday, May 8
  • Launch & All Stages: 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
    South of Anahuac, near Smith Point, Texas
  • Schools participating: Gary HS, Hardin-Jefferson HS, Hargrave HS, North Shore HS,  Anahuac HS, Booker T Washington HS, Brazoswood HS, Kingwood Park HS, Milby HS,  Summer Creek HS, Odyssey HS, Friendswood HS
  • 38 expected rockets for testing
  • A Livestream for each launch is provided and available at www.systemsgo.org/events

The sites will be open to admittance for students and teachers only at 6:00 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. First launch as soon as we have some cleared to the pad.

Restrooms and wash stations will be provided at the launch site. Concessions will be provided on site. 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. Rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch, and delay schedules.

Locals report that mosquito spray is a MUST.

Spectators are asked to register online for a ticket and sign a waiver before entering the event site. The registration link can be found on the Events page at SystemsGo.org .

Daily reports featuring schedules, school names, results, pictures and some editorial content will be posted during the event if information is available.

Daily picture uploads can be found on my Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ginger.burow/

Or the SystemsGo Facebook page at:

SystemsGo Facebook page,

Please watch the SystemsGo website, Facebook page,  Twitter feed: 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 #EyesontheSkies #gettothepoint

Rockets 2022 Southeast Texas/Smith Point Launches Start Tomorrow, Thursday,

The 2022 Texas Rocket Trail continues its series of junior launches with the Southeast Texas/Smith Point testing site. Currently 31 vehicles are scheduled for testing by 13 schools at this site. Testing begins this week, May 5th and 6th  with a weather contingency day to be used only if needed on May 7th.

SystemsGo team and volunteer crews have been hard at work earlier this week preparing the site. Kirk Moore heads up a vast group of individuals that make sure all parts of the operation are ready for launches.

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

Southeast Texas/Smith Point

  • Thursday, May 5 – Friday, May 6
  • Launch & All Stages: 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
    South of Anahuac, near Smith Point, Texas
  • Southeast Texas-Smith Point 2022 Flight Schedule
  • Schools participating: North Shore HS, Hardin-Jefferson HS, Hargrave HS, Northstar HS,  Anahuac HS, Booker T Washington HS, Friendswood HS, Harleton HS, Brazoswood HS, Kingwood Park HS,  Channelview HS,  Summer Creek HS
  • 31 expected rockets for testing
  • A Livestream for each launch is provided and available at www.systemsgo.org 

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.

Restrooms and wash stations will be provided at the launch site. Concessions and a  spectator tent will be available available again 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. Rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch, and delay schedules.

If you follow this program and like viewing the launches, there is one more available to view for Rockets 2022. Central Texas/Stonewall will be launching May 12-14.

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

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

Please watch the SystemsGo website, SystemsGo Facebook page, and SystemsGo Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/SystemsGoNews  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 #Rockets2021 #EyesontheSkies #gettothepoint #TexasRocketTrail

May 2, 2022, Rockets 2022 Continues Today in Colorado!!!

The Rockets 2022 season transitioned to Colorado today. This is a brand new launch venue for SystemsGo. Canon City HS joined the SystemsGo program in 2021 and came to Stonewall for their first launch that same year.  They had one Tsiolkovsky level rocket.

The featured picture for this article is the class from this high school from last year’s launch.

The current roster for this new venue still only boasts Canon City with four rockets this year. Two Tsiolkovsky and two Oberth.

They are opening this launch to other Colorado schools to come and view the program up close. Hopefully this will add numbers in both schools and rockets  for future participation allowing the program to grow in the Colorado area.

This new launch site is at the U.S. Army Fort Carson Colorado, Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. It is a one day launch, today, Monday, May 2, 2022.

The site is open to public viewing of the launches.  Unfortunately this launch will not have live streaming.

All  launch information is listed at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

The sites will be open for admittance at 6:00 a.m. and launches will commence there after.

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

www.systemsgo.org as always is the place for more information on this program. You may also email them at info@systemsgo.org . Take the time to get your school involved, the future of your students will be greatly benefited.

Hope to see you at the launches! #RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2022 #EyesontheSkies #SystemsGoRocketTrail

April 29, 2022, Rockets 2022 North Texas/Jacksboro Friday Launch

Friday, Day 2, and the final day for North Texas Rockets 2022 launch series was mission complete by 3:54 this afternoon, with all rockets launched. 18 rockets from five different schools left the rails today. These schools included Buinger HS, Petrolia HS, University HS, Birdville HS, and RL Turner HS.

Recovery dropped from three teams to two today, but they still managed to recovery 15 of today’s 19 launches. Team 2 also picked up Rocket # 52 from Thursday’s launches. Only five of the weekend’s 41 test vehicles were not recovered. Rocket #62 left the rail twice with it’s first test ending just past the rail. Students retrieved it still whole and intact and repaired it for a second test, at which point flew quite well and landed several pastures to the NE where it was recovered.

Weather for Friday was partly cloudy in the morning and mostly clear by afternoon with highs in the 80’s looks good. High winds still kept most of the rockets flying to the northern end of the range with many landing right around Team 2 again. 

First launches blasted off about 10:30 this morning. This was considerably earlier than on Thursday. That might be a group record, 19 rockets in just under 5.5 hours. 

Today’s Livestream link will open for a few days to view if you did not catch it live. You can find that link at SystemsGo on the Events page. Phil had interviews with dignitaries from a school in Abu Dhabi who are considering bring the SystemsGo program to their school in the United Arab Emirates. Representatives from a group in Jacksboro, called, Back to Space, were on site today as well. They are building and immersive destination experience designed to help further interest in space and the moon, called The Lunar Landscape Experience. To find out what it is all about, go to their website at backtospace.com .

Afterward launch complete the SystemsGo team and volunteers dismantled the site, sending bunkers and other equipment to storage for next year’s launch season, loading necessary items to leave for Colorado tomorrow for their launch at Pinon Canyon, and ending the rest of the group back to Fredericksburg.

Following the Colorado launch, the team will be heading to launch in Smith Point for the SETX Rockets. The following week they will all return for the Central Texas launches in Stonewall.

After a two year hiatus due to COVID, Captain Gene Garrett and wife Beth, were in from their new home in North Carolina. They joined the team for the NTX rocket launch and then will also help at the SETX launches before heading back East again. It was sure nice to have them here again.

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 2022 series, and is followed by launches in Pinon Canyon, CO, Southeast Texas/Smith Point, and Central Texas/Stonewall. The rest of the schedule is as follows:

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

 

 

 

April 28, 2022, Thursday, Opening Day of Rockets 2022 in North Texas

Rockets 2022 opened today at the North Texas launch site in Jack county. Four schools were slated to test a total of 21 rockets, originally, but ended the day with 22 rockets launched. Carroll HS aborted one and Henrietta HS brought their two today instead of tomorrow, creating the difference in the schedule.

It was a long day, as intermissions were also long with a lot of down time early on. The first launch was at 1:15 instead of 9:00 as projected. Morning launch start times are generally hopeful estimates, contingent on clearances from Stage 1 and 2. Today the cloud ceiling kept launches at bay as well. The day ran long with the final launches completing just within our allowed window of daylight.

Temperatures climbed slowly from 60s to 80s with strong, winds. Light jackets were comfortable until mid afternoon and then were quickly discarded. By late afternoon it was full sun with only spotty clouds, a total difference from the heavy cloud ceiling of the morning.

Recovery had a good day with 20 out of 22 vehicles recovered. This is a great tally too, especially when you consider we only have three teams this year. Team 2 had the majority of the recoveries for the day, but the winds played a huge roll in this record, dumping most of them within 200 yards of their spot. One landed directly next to their Gator, bouncing off the front fender. Captain always told us that if we see one coming straight for us, step to the side. Definitely put that into practice today.

Their was a small number of perfect flights today, but all except one, left the rails. Many were short flights that quickly went off projection coming down again shortly. It was definitely an entertaining day of launches. One blew the engine out of the bottom and hung up on the rail instead of lifting off.

Early tomorrow morning, recovery will try to locate the two still in the field.

Tomorrow’s original schedule shows 6 schools and 23 rockets. Since Henrietta HS launched today, that adjusts tomorrow’s schedule to 5 schools and 21 rockets.

Tomorrow’s weather predicts to be almost the same as today. Temperatures will start in the 70’s headed to the mid 80’s with partly cloudy conditions until late afternoon again. Hopefully the winds won’t be quite as strong, and the ceiling less thick.

Recovery will be down one team from today, as Tyler Olson will not be able to help again. Hopefully a new team will show to take his place.

Pictures are 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 will be provided at the launch site. A spectator tent will be available. Spectators are allowed this year. 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 since there are no concessions onsite this year.  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 29
  • 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 2022 Flight Schedule (Original schedule before Henrietta HS switched to today. Currently I do not have a revised schedule, but at this point the only change I am aware of is no HHS for Friday.)
  • Schools participating: Buinger CTE Academy, Henrietta HS, Birdville HS, University HS, Petrolia HS, RL Turner HS
  • 21 rockets expected for testing.
  • Livestream link at available at www.systemsgo.org  for each day.

If you are follow this program join us again tomorrow for Rockets 2022 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 #Rockets2022 #SystemsGoRocketTrail #TexasRocketTrail

Rockets 2022 Rides the Skies Again at the North Texas Launch Site in Jacksboro, Launches Commence Thursday

The SystemsGo program continues this week in North Texas at Jack County for the Rockets 2022 launch line up.  This is the third operating year at this venue. Jacksboro is the first of three Texas launch sites for the junior level rockets. 

There are currently 42 schools participating in the three Texas launches, with a total this year of 127 rockets. New Mexico and Colorado have joined the lineup of junior level rocket adding another 13 schools and 34 rockets bringing the 2022 lineup totals to 65 schools and 161 rockets. Schools and numbers are steadily climbing gain after pandemic shutdowns in 2020. It is all a very welcomed sight.

Here are how the Texas schools divide out for the three launches.

  • North Texas/Jack County– 10 schools – 44 rockets
  • Southeast Texas/Smith Point– 13 schools – 34 rockets
  • Central Texas/Stonewall– 19 schools – 49 rockets

The program also boasts a launch event in Jal, New Mexico, which preceded the three Texas launches this year.  And new this year is Pinon Canyon, CO which will be on May 2. 

  • Jal, New Mexico — 12 schools – 30 rockets
  • Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, CO — 1 school – 4 rockets

Fortunately, this year all sites are again opened to public viewing of launches.

If you plan to attend any of these launches, please be sure to register online for tickets and agree to the SystemsGo Terms and Conditions, which are available at the SytemsGo Events Page.

If you cannot attend in person a Livestream link to the event will be posted on the SystemsGo web page closer to the launch start. The link will be available here:  www.sytemsgo.org . Students and teachers are also encouraged to video with their own devices and share those videos with friends, family and social media.

This is the event’s third 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 Mission Control and launching.

More precise information on locations, mapping and parking will be in a subsequent update.

Patience is a normal requirement with rockets, as they are test vehicles. They do not adhere to schedules well.  In fact, rockets are subject to winds, weather, and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch.

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. Of course, this 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.

Whether you come in person or watch online, the look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered, and knowing you are watching and supporting them, is far from priceless.  Shoot them a text, letting them know you are watching online.

More information is always available at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

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 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, #EyesontheSkies #ItisRocketscience #Rockets2022 #SystemsGoRocketTrail #TexasRocketTrail #RideTheSkies