The SystemsGo program begins next week in North Texas at Jack County for the Rockets 2021 launch line up. This is the second operating year at this venue since the 2020 season was stonewalled by COVID. This is one of three Texas launch sites for the junior level rockets. As the number of schools in the Texas program continues to increase, the need for another venue arose and so this venue was added in 2019 to deflect some of the load from the Central Texas and Southeast Texas launches. There are currently 48 schools participating in the three Texas launches, with a total this year of 142 rockets.
Totals are down just slightly for 2021 but considering this is following on the heels of a global pandemic, the number of schools that have managed the curriculum and completed their projects, is still remarkable. This achievement is a superior success for these students as they had to accomplish project completion while accommodating both in-person and online class schedules due to the past year’s COVID restrictions. Rocket building is an in-person activity making this a difficult task while adhering to school, CDC and community guidelines that were put in place.
Here are how the Texas schools divide out for the three launches.
- North Texas/Jack County– 8 schools – 30 rockets
- Central Texas/Stonewall– 20 schools – 71 rockets
- Southeast Texas/Smith Point– 20 schools – 41 rockets
The program also boasts a launch event in Jal, New Mexico, which will follow the three Texas launches this year. It has its own launch crews and facility and will test in mid-May.
- Jal, New Mexico — 8 schools – 16 rockets
Unfortunately, this year all sites are closed to public viewing of launches. Only the teams and their teachers will be allowed due to COVID restrictions. However, SystemsGo has secured permission from all three Texas host counties of Jack, Gillespie, and Chambers to allow the complete rocket team to participate at the event, which is different from previously announced. While they regret no public participation this year, the safety and health of the students and staff must be a priority for the launches to commence. Hopefully, next year will see a return to public involvement.
If you had planned to attend any of these launches, please watch for a Livestream link to be posted on the SystemsGo web page closer to your event. This 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 and family.
This first launch site is in the Jacksboro area, and while Stages 1 and 2 were at the Fire Department in nearby Perrin, in 2019, that location has been moved to accommodate COVID restrictions. This year these stages will be located on the property that was spectator parking in 2019. This location is approximately three miles east of the launch site and is where schools will take their teams and rockets FIRST. If you are traveling from Perrin, you will reach this site first. Look for the signs! Patience may be in order here, as changes to the prior system are accommodated and schools adjust to the parameters of the new location and COVID regulations. With that in mind, remember that masks are required and temperature checks will be administered on site.
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 8:30 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.
As for the rest of you, join in the action and cheer on these students on the Livestream. 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/ .
North Texas/Jack County:
- Thursday, April 22-Friday, April 23
- Launch Site: FM 2210 W and Gowan Ranch Lane, Jacksboro, TX 76458
Stage 1 & 2 are at the shuttle parking area, approximately 3 miles east of the launch site on FM 2210. Look for the signs, you will arrive there first. - Schools participating: Buinger CTE Academy, Henrietta HS, Hollenstein CTC, Birdville CTE, Grapevine HS, Northstar HS, Petrolia HS, RL Turner HS
- 30 expected rockets for testing
If you follow this program and like to view the launches of Rockets 2021 watch for our Livestream links for the Central Texas/Fredericksburg launch site which will follow the next week after this launch. These launch from the Segner Ranch in Stonewall, Texas. Two weeks from the launch in Jack County will be the Southeast Texas/Smith Point launches just south of Anahuac, Texas for schools in the Houston and Southeast Texas area. Look for more details on these coming up.
Watch for that Livestream link here, 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 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
Names as pictured: Buck Brown, Scott Netherland, and Barry Brown(in truck).
On the Wings of Angels 