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