Tag: Kingwood Park High School

Rockets 2026 and The Texas Rocket Trail Ended in Southeast Texas/Smith Point Saturday, May 9

Saturday marked the end of the Rockets 2026 Season with the third and final day of launches in Smith Point. The weather was  cloudy  and foggy to start the day. It finally burn off by 11:00, but then to love bugs came out and the hi humidity definitely stayed.  Saturday morning  we had a back log of  rockets from Friday to start the day with while we waited for today’s to make it through Stage 1 and 2. Once we started we kept a pretty steady stream of rockets flowing to and off of the pad.

The original schedule listed 12 rockets for testing and we added 14 from yesterday bringing the total to 26, but only 10 showed up for today, so we actually launched 24 rockets by day’s end. 

Most rockets left the rail on their first try, with only three making an extra attempt after minor adjustments. In all it was a good day for launches. Seventeen were recovered.  The last volleys had small sets as we waited for the rockets for the day slowly cleared Stage 1 and 2. The last rocket left the rail at 7:06 p.m. 

Steve helped under the tent again this year, spotting for recovery, carrying rockets to the pad, and whatever else was needed. I manned the media tent and ran the cameras and streaming.  I did  rocket team interviews, took photos, helped spot rockets and attempted to make sure rockets were signed off on when they were returned. 

Luckily tests were done and mission complete by 8:00 pm, we drove back to the lodge to a beautiful sunset and all had dinner at the Oyster Bayou Hunting Club, courtesy of Amanda! Tonight’s menu was beef tips in mushroom gravy, white rice. brazed carrots, broccoli with chees, and Texas Tiramisu for dessert.

Today we had guests from Wings Over Texas. WC “Dub” Davis and Terri Vourganas, both Airshow staff members, came to support, talk to staff, watch and video launches.

It was another good year of launches, with great weather except for Friday evening in both Central Texas and Southeast Texas . Of course, good help to make everything go smoothly.

Spring launches are complete for 2026. The summer launches at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico are next up on the schedule June 10-14, with travel days on either side.

  • Schools participating this weekend are were: Brazoswood HS, Friendswood HS, Hargrave HS, Summer Creek HS, Kingwood Park HS, Anahuac HS, Hardin-Jefferson HS,  Harleton HS, Dobie HS, and Ball HS.
  • A recording of the live feed for each launch in the spring series is still available for viewing online at Youtube at SGSocial.
  • 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 member 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.

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

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! See you again next spring!

#RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2026  #EyesToTheSkies

The Texas Rocket Trail 2026 Southeast Texas/Smith Point Day 2, Friday, May 8 Recap

Friday marked the second day of the Texas Rocket Trail for Rockets 2026, here in Smith Point. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperative today. We had a very low ceiling and light rain for most of the the day

The original schedule listed 17 rockets for testing. North Shore dropped due to their teacher being very ill. In leu of them, we added ACS which was supposed to have launched last weekend in Centrakl Texas, but their rocket which came from Abu Dahbi, got held up in customs and didn’t get to Fredericksburg, until this week. We actually brought it down to Anahuac to be assembled by one of their schools, this weekend. We had one Ball rocket from yesterday, that didn’t make the cut off yesterday evening so they also launched today.

The Ball  and ACS rockets and one Brazoswood rocket, were the only 3 that were lucky enough to launch today in the very small window we had at 2:40 this afternoon. As luck would have it, the hole in the clouds didn’t last long enough to get anymore off today.

We also had a little wind shortly before launches and my cameras took a dive twice and had to be picked up. Shortly after that and right as launches happened we ended up with a 360 view on the livestream which took me a while to figure out how to remedy and resulted in having to restart the whole livestream. For that I deeply appologize to those 3 launches, as we missed them on the stream. I do have it on good authority that Rebekah and some of the pad crew videoed them and will share them with the schools.

Rebekah Hyatt, Program Director awarded two  Captain Gene Garret scholarships today. One was to Paige Kirby, from Hardin-Jefferson and Mara Maldonado from Kingwood Park. This is the first year there has been a tie for this scholarship and since there was not a nominee form Jal, NM, SystemsGo was able to award two here at SETX.

Due to the wether not showing any chance of improvement, Rebekah, called launches at 4:40, only allowing Stages 1, 2 and 3 to finish up by 6:00 ckearing rockets so that we can launch them later in the weekend depending on weather.

The teams left the site shortly after 6:00 p.m. headed for the Oyster Bayoo Hunting Club for dinner.   Seafood was on the menu tonight, starting with raw oysters for an appetizer. Fried fish, fried shrimp, hush puppies, crawfish potatoes, spicey and regular cole slaw, and three flavors of cobblers for dessert. Amanda and her crew really feed us well. Thank you to them for the wonderful meals. She cooked for a large crew tonight as the regulars were there and we added Fogo’s class of kids to the group. It was a fun crew.

After dinner several left, and others went to bed. I am not sure whether the domino players will play their games for a few rounds before bed or not, because another early morning is on the schedule. We now have 14 ready from today to launch as soon as the skies clear in the morning, which predictions are around 10:00 a.m. So keep your fingers crossed, because that is what we need. The total for tomorrow is now 26 rockets in order to launch all rockets on the docket.

Per Rebekah all rockets must clear Stage 2 by 6:00 p.m. tomorrow. If they do not, they are done for the season. Stage 1 and 2 will not reopen if we go into contingency on Sunday. So students, be aware of this you must clear tomorrow.

Tommorrow, Saturday, May 9, boasts another 12 rockets tested by two schools. It will be the final day of the Texas Rocket Trail as long as the weather holds. As I have mentioned we will have today’s 14 unlaunched, cleared vehicles to launch as well.

There is  possible  tomorrow morning. Hopefully it will clear by mid morning 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 should be complete with all launches having been accomplished 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.

Southeast Texas Launches

  • Launch & All Stages: 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
    South of Anahuac, near Smith Point, Texas
  • Southeast Texas
  • SETX Check In / Stage 1 and 2
  • SETX Mission Control / Launch Site
  • Saturday, May 9, 2026
  • 2 Schools participating Saturday at Smith Point
  • 12 expected rockets for testing.
  • Plus the 14 left from today.
  • 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:
    1. 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 Jotform Waiver QR Code
    2. 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.

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  #EyesToTheSkies

The Texas Rocket Trail 2026 Started in Southeast Texas/Smith Point Today, Thursday, May 7

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:
    1. 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 Jotform Waiver QR Code

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

Rockets 2026 Southeast Texas/Smith Point Wednesday, May 6, Setup Recap and Thursday, May 7, Launch Day 1 Pregame

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.
    • 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:

  1. 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
    Jotform Waiver QR Code    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

Rockets 2025 and The Texas Rocket Trail Ended in Southeast Texas/Smith Point Saturday, May 10

Saturday marked the end of the Rockets 2025 Season with the second and final day of launches in Smith Point. The weather was partly cloudy, with a strong cool wind.  Saturday morning  we had a lag as the rockets were coming in one at a time, hours apart. By 3:36 we had only launched 3 successfuly and attempted a 4th which prematruely popped on the rail and had to be taken back to Stage 3 for a reset and new charges. Rockets were extremely slow coming out of Stage 2.

The original schedule listed 18 rockets for testing and by day’s end  the number the number tested was still 18 with the final rocket failing on the rail and mission complete having been called becuase our window of oppotunity had closed with the setting sun.

Most rockets left the rail on their first try, with only a few having to make extra attempts after minor adjustments. In all it was a good day for launches. Most were recovered. In the early part of the day it was super slow getting them out of Stage 2 so they could pass through Stage through loaded and ready to fly. Late in the afternoon everyting shifted and the last volleys were full ones with rockets floowoing in quick succession. 

Steve helped under the tent again this year, spotting for recovery, carrying rockets to the pad, and whatever else was needed. Bert manned the media tent. Bert ran the cameras and streaming. In the early part of the day he had student volunteers but due to the slow progress they decided to go to Stage 2 and see if they coule lend a hand. After that I did  a few student interviews, took photos, helped spot rockets and attempted to make sure rockets were signed off on when they were returned. Late in the afternoon Chelsea  arrived and helped at the pad and did some rocket surgery along the way.

Luckily tests were done and mission complete by 8:00 pm, we closed down to a beautiful sunset and all headed for dinner at the Crawfish Place!

It was another good year of launches, with great weather except for Friday evening in Central Texas and good help to make everything go smoothly.

Spring launches are complete for 2025. The summer launches at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico are next up on the schedule June 13-15, with travel days on either side.

  • Schools participating this weekend are were: North Shore HS, Brazoswood HS, Friendswood HS, Hargrave HS, American Community Schools Abu Dhahi, Summer Creek HS, Kingwood Park HS, Anahuac HS, Hardin Jefferson HS, Fredericksburg HS, Elsik HS, and Ball HS.
  • A recording of the live feed for each launch in the spring series is still available for viewing online 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 member 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! See you again next spring!

#RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2025 #EyesontheSkies #EyesToTheSkies

The Texas Rocket Trail 2025 Started in Southeast Texas/Smith Point Today, Friday, May 9

Friday marked the beginning  of the last leg of the Texas Rocket Trail for Rockets 2025, 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 24 rockets for testing, and we managed 21. One aborted, and two will launch tomottow. Recovery had a good day and brought back about 95% of the   rockets launched. We had 5 teams so the area was well covered, and  there were several that the pad collected due to the close proximity of their landing.

We had three Brazoswood seniors that came to support our media department with interviews and launch fimling. Ava Andrews, Michaela Gutrmuth, and Gosha Krasovskiy led students through stories about their rockets, hopes for their future, thoughts about their launch once it was done. They were very creative in their questions as well as entertaining during down time. Ava plans to return tomorrow with a host of new students, and has already been charged with keeping them in line and showing them how the system works and what to do to keep student rocket teams engaged.

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 recently medically released Navy lent a hand. Brandon from Lockhead was there for now his third launch this year as well.

Rebekah Hyatt, Program Director awarded to scholarships today. One was the Brett Williams Scholarship to Tina Lee, from Anahuac and the Gene Garrett Scholarship to Kingwoodpark student, Lucas Pagano.

The last volley of launches was around 7:30 p.m. The teams left the site at 8:00 p.m. headed for the Oyster Bayoo Hunting Club for dinner.   Hamburger steak, mashed potatoes, veggie casserole, gravy, salad, and a deicious dessert of yellow cake with a cool whip, back berry, blue blerry and lemon topping.

After dinner several left, and others went to bed, but the domino players started their games for a few rounds before bed and another early morning.

Tommorrow, Saturday, May 10, boasts another 18 rockets. There is  possible rain midday 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 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 10, 2025
  • 6 are Schools participating Friday at Smith Point
  • 18 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:
  • 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,  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 #Rockets2025 #EyesontheSkies #EyesToTheSkies

Rockets 2025 Southeast Texas/Smith Point Launches Wednesday/Thursday May 7 & 8 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 one partial rain out day in Central Texas that resulted in Friday’s launches being cut short with only half tested, and having to double up on what turned out to be a fabulous day of launching on Saturday, we are hoping for no rain delays for this weekend. After rain in the area last weekend, all through this week and predicted for this weekend delays are a strong possibility, but we are keeping a hopeful outlook on blue skies and rockets sailing high both days. And unfortunately mosquitoes are  a strong possibility as well.  So if you are coming to SETX Rockets 2025 bring your spray! Luckily a nice breeze has kept them at bay and not just Trinity.

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 and do pad tests.Bert Mikosh will be manning the operations for the media tent with help from students and other team members. Joyce Abby will again join us to be the “voice of rockets.”

The team is once again trying out new accommodations. This year we are actually staying in Anahuac at Oyster Bayou Hunting Club.  So we moved closer our launch site it Smith Point. It has a great rooms, nice owners 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, eating raw oysters and then enjoying a pot roast dinnery all supplied by the owner. This is indeed a new 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 42 rockets slated for testing this weekend in Smith Point. Fredericksburg High School is attempting a new rocket to launch here in Smith Point this weekend to test strain guages on their fins. Their test in Central Texas last weekend, resulted in a destructive crash so no data was collected so as seniors they are determined to do better.

Twenty-one 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.

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 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 9, 2025
  • 8  are Schools participating Friday at Smith Point
  • 24 expected rockets for testing on Friday.

  • Screenshot
  •  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 9 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!

#RideTheSkies #TexasRocketTrail #Rockets2025 #EyesToTheSkies

April 25, 2025, Rockets 2025 North Texas/Jacksboro Friday’s Final Launch Day Update

Friday, Day 2, the final day for North Texas Rockets 2025 launch series was mission complete by  this evening,  with all rockets launched by 6:57p.m. Twenty rockets from five different schools left the rails today. These schools included University HS, RL Turner HS, BCTAL, Buinger HS and one hold over from yesterday, from Hollenstein HS.

Weather for Friday was good with only partly cloudy for most of the day, but with a high ceiling. A threat of severe storms loomed in the area through the day, but never developed near the range.  

First launches blasted off shortly at 10:53 a.m. this morning.  After the first volley of three, the pad kept the rockets flying in a fairly continuous  set each time the rails were full .

Out of 20 rockets launched, only 6  were not recovered. Some flights were beautiful, and opened and came down under chute. Others went up and spiraled before blowing apart and landing scattered over the range. This made it a bit challenging for recovery teams to locate, but they did an amazing job. 

After Mission Complete the Team left the site to go find a decent dinner tonight at JR’s Chop House B & B  and the Butterfield Inn to crash for the night. Except me, I did not crash yet. I am still writing this article and will still post pictures to Facebook when I am done with this.

In the morning the crew will meat for breakfast at 7:00amat the Village Kitchen and then head back to the ranch to tear down the whole site and pack it away in the  cargo trailer for NTX until next year. After that we will all head home to prepare for the next sequence at the Central Texas/Stonewall launches this coming week,  May 1st through the 3rd. A contingency day is built into Sunday, May 4th if needed.

It has been a really long day, and traveling makes me tired so I best get my pictures posted so that I can get some much needed sleep as I am fighting staying awake to write this tonight. The rest of the SystemsGo team is alreay fast asleep. It is well deserved. They all worked really hard to make this a great event for the students and they will do it again soon, twice more.

Please also forgive me if there are any errors or editing faux pas in this article tonight. I have no one to preread or edit and my internal editor keeps falling asleep at the key board! I might have to fire her, or at the very least send her to bed soon!

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 2025 series, and is followed by launches in Central Texas/Stonewall and Southeast Texas/Smith Point. 

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#Rockets2025 #EyesToTheSkies

 

 

April 24, 2025, Thursday, Opening Day of Rockets 2025 in North Texas

Rockets 2025 opened today at the North Texas launch site in Jack county. Four schools were slated to test a total of 21 vehicles. Of those, three were aborted, and one from Hollenstein High School was held over for tomorrow‘s launch due to late completion in Stage 3, but 17 were tested today here in North Texas.

It was a long day. Final launches just barely made the daylight thresh hold before the final mission complete was called for the day. Storms impeded progress early in the morning from 6:00 a.m. until around 8:30 a.m. and again after lunch from about 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Temperatures bewteen 60s during and right after the storms to 80s in the late afternoon. Light jackets were quickly discarded by late afternoon when rain was replaced with full sun with only spotty clouds.

Our three recovery had a good day recovering a substantial number from today and a few old ones from past years.

Tomorrow’s original schedule shows 4 schools and 19 rockets. One of Hollenstein’s rockets is returning tomorrow which ups the number to 20 for the day.

It was a good day in spite of short handedness in Mission Control. Randy was covering Fill and Fire, Data Entry and Recovery coordination. Later in the day Jaque came in from Stage 2 and helped with Fill and Fire. And early on Joyce helped cover data entry to upload to Josephine so stats could be seen on the Livestream.

Tomorrow, recovery will be down one team from today, but another is coming in to help.

Tomorrow’s weather predicts rain possible with a 20-35% chance around 11:00 a.m. This could present a problem with completing all the launches for tomorrow. Hopefully this will not be the case, and we will not have to run into our contingency day on Saturday.

Pictures 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 are available at the launch site, provided by Mobile Thrones. 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 . Concessions are still provided by the Jacksboro Stomp organization.

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:

If you are follow this program join us again tomorrow for Rockets 2025 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 #Rockets2025 #SystemsGoRocketTrail #TexasRocketTrail #EyesToTheSkies

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