New Tech Odessa High School – Page 2

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.

Hope to see you at the launches! #RidetheSkies, #EyesontheSkies #ItisRocketscience #Rockets2022 #SystemsGoRocketTrail #TexasRocketTrail #RideTheSkies

Rockets 2021 Continues Today in Jal, New Mexico!!!

The Rockets 2021 season transitioned to New Mexico this week after three weekends on the Texas Rocket Trail. New Mexico launches are the fourth for the Tsiolkovsky and Oberth levels.

The current rosters list 8 schools participating in the Jal, New Mexico launch, where they will be testing 16 rockets. This is the fourth active year for this venue.

Their numbers in both schools and rockets are down in New Mexico since the 2019 season, just as they were in Texas, due to schools navigating COVID parameters.

SystemsGo New Mexico does have a twitter feed in order to follow the launches. The link is still live, but right now there are no current tweets. That link is https://twitter.com/SystemsGoNM

All sites are closed to public viewing of launches this year. However, the launches will se broadcast on Livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG5OUV944GQ

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

Jal, New Mexico:

Tuesday, May 11 – Thursday, May 13
Returning to the launch site on Phillips Hill Road near Jal.
Schools participating: Fort Sumner HS, Grady HS, Hagerman HS, Jal HS, Lovington HS, Alamogordo HS, Dora HS, Portales HS
16 expected rockets for testing
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Jal High School
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Alamogordo High School
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Dora High School
Wednesday, May 12th, 2021
7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Lovington High School
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Ft. Sumner High School
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Portales High School
Thursday, May 13th, 2021
8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Hagerman High School
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Grady High School

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

I am not sure exactly how the time frame on these launches will actually work. The block form of the schedule is a little different than the Texas schedules were. I know in Texas it depended on which schools’ rockets made it through Stages 1, 2, and 3 as to when and what order they launched. In Jal they have a block 3 hour time frame for each school. I don’t really know how all the Stages factor in so it should be interesting to watch how the launches progress through the day.

Of course rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch. Come join in the action and cheer on these students on the Livsestream. Even though spectators and family cannot be there in person, just knowing you are watching them and cheering them on will boost their morale and bolster their success for their vehicles launch. Besides then you still get to see the look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered. That alone, is from priceless.

A live feed for the Jal, New Mexico, launches will be provided at www.systemsgo.org .

The senior groups are tentatively scheduled to launch their Goddard level rockets at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico in late June. Right now these are still very tentative. News on this may be available in the next few weeks. 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, SystemsGo Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/SystemsGoNews for upcoming information on theses events.

Hope to see you at the launches! #RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2021 #EyesontheSkies

Dedication to Dayni Alba

This year’s season is dedicated to former SystemsGo operative and friend, Dayni Alba. Dayni spent many years with the launch teams working the Fill and Fire box. This will the groups’ first season without her. A banner in her honor will fly at each launch this season. Ride the skies Dayni, you are loved and missed.

Dayni’s companion, Sky Bleu, was given to Joyce Abbey at Dayni’s passing so that he might continue his work and travels around the rocket communities. He is here at each of our SystemsGo Texas launches. Today we found him all over the site making sure that everything was in order and running properly.

Throughout the weekend and at next weekend’s launch he will be around and we will be catching him for you to see. In memory of Dayni he will have an album, entitled, “Dayni and Sky Bleu, Always with Us!”

Pictures will be added daily at the launches as Sky works his way around the site. The album can be found at the following address on Facebook. Feel free to share.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=ginger.burow&set=a.4147773671910399

Hope to see you at the launches! #RideTheSkies #Texasrockettrail #Rockets2021

Rockets 2021 Central Texas/Stonewall Thursday Evening Launch Report

We had a slow start today due to low cloud ceilings for our first day of launches in Stonewall at the Sammy Segner Ranch. The schedule began with 7 schools and 22 rockets and quickly decreased to 6 schools and 19 rockets. Only one school, Fabens did not get a rocket to the rail today.

All rockets cleared Stages 1 and 2 and 3 checks. The cloud ceiling and light rain all day kept the schedule in an off and on holding pattern. Basically 3 volleys were loaded and shot in between ceiling lifts.

Of the 11 rockets that did #RideTheSky today, 9 have been successfully located. The rest of today’s docket was stored safely against the weather for the evening and will be first up tomorrow morning, as soon as weather allows.

The original list for today included Fabens, Hamilton, Kingwood, Marble Falls, Roosevelt, New Diana, and Harleton. According to original numbers Fabens aborted three and Harleton one. New Diana, Kingwood, Hamilton, Roosevelt, Harleton, and Marble Falls all show a Transonic present ready to test as soon as the proper ceiling is achieved this weekend. Hopefully this will be around 8:00 a.m.

Along with the rockets left from today, the following schools plan to launch tomorrow: Union Grove, Victoria East, Victoria West, McGregor, New Tech Odessa, Fredericksburg, Alamo Heights, Canon City, and Ingram Tom Moore High Schools.

Troy Spies, was the leader on recovery today, at least six rockets found. There were five mobile recovery teams and two spotter teams.

We really appreciate the use of Mr. Segner’s place for this concert in the sky, as well as his enthusiastic participation in our recovery efforts.

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

Festivities continue tomorrow as weather permits. Unfortunately, tomorrow and Saturday are predicted to be the worst weather days than today for this stint of Stonewall Rockets 2021. Hopefully it will allow for some launches. Right now there is a 60-80% chance of more overnight as well as all day tomorrow. Saturday actually shows 100% chance, so these next few days could be a real challenge to get these vehicles tested. Delays in start times well as subsequent launches throughout the day are a strong possibility.

As for tomorrow, launches will continue as possible at the Sammy Segner Ranch on Double Horn Road and Stages 1 and 2 will be at the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce building.

Restrooms and wash stations will be provided at the launch site. Due to COVID restrictions, no concessions or spectator tent will be available, because no spectators are allowed 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.

You can still be prepared to 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.

The Central Texas/Stonewall launch dates, Livestream links and schools are also listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

Central Texas/Stonewall:

Friday, April 30
Launch Site: 2187 Double Horn Road, Stonewall, Texas 78671
Stage 1 & 2 at Stonewall Chamber of Commerce: 250 Peach Street, Stonewall, TX 78671
Central Texas-Stonewall 2019 Flight Schedule
Schools participating: Fabens HS, Fredericksburg HS, Hamilton HS, Kingwood HS, Marble Falls HS, McGregor HS, Roosevelt HS, Georgetown HS, Kermit HS, Tom Moore Ingram HS, Union Grove HS, Victoria East HS, Victoria West HS, New Diana HS, Harleton HS, London HS, Carroll HS, New Tech Odessa, Alamo Heights HS, Canon City Hs
71 expected rockets for testing-22 on Friday + 6 Transonics from Thursday
A Livestream for each launch will be provided and will be available at www.systemsgo.org as each launch date arrives. Friday’s is as follows: April 30- Day 2

The sites will be open to admittance for students and teachers only at 6:00 a.m. Projected start time for launches is 8:00 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.

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

Hope to see you at the launches! #RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2021 #EyesontheSkies

Tomorrow, Thursday is Opening Day for Rockets 2021 at the Central Texas/Stonewall Launch Event

The fun starts tomorrow for Central Texas/Stonewall Rockets 2021! This launch is second in the series for the Rockets 2021 season.

Twenty schools with a docket of 71 rockets are scheduled for the location. Schedules for the daily line up could waffle around some due to the possibility of rain and storms in the area through Thursday morning. The current Thursday schedule boasts seven schools and 22 rockets.

Stages 1 and 2 will be at the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce building. This testing site covers the Fredericksburg and Hill Country area schools, with a few exceptions.

The Central Texas/Stonewall launch dates, Livestream links and schools are listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

Central Texas/Stonewall:

Thursday, April 29
Launch Site: 2187 Double Horn Road, Stonewall, Texas 78671
Stage 1 & 2 at Stonewall Chamber of Commerce: 250 Peach Street, Stonewall, TX 78671
Central Texas-Stonewall 2021 Flight Schedule
Schools participating: Fabens HS, Fredericksburg HS, Hamilton HS, Kingwood HS, Marble Falls HS, McGregor HS, Roosevelt HS, Georgetown HS, Kermit HS, Tom Moore Ingram HS, Union Grove HS, Victoria East HS, Victoria West HS, New Diana HS, Harleton HS, London HS, Carroll HS, New Tech Odessa, Alamo Heights HS, Canon City Hs
71 total expected rockets for testing-22 Thursday
Livestream feed for each launch will be available here and at www.systemsgo.org as each launch date arrives. Thursday’s is as follows:
April 29 – Day 1

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. 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. Of course rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch.

More event details will be available here each evening during the even. Daily reports featuring schedule links, school names, results, pictures and some editorial content will be posted in these updates 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.

Hope to see you at the launches! #RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2021 #EyesontheSkies

Rockets 2021 Continues with Central Texas/Stonewall Launch This Week

The Central Texas/Stonewall launch is second in the series for the Rockets 2021 season. This site is in its second active year at the Sammy Segner Ranch in Stonewall, Texas. It would be third but of course, COVID happened shutting all operations down in 2020.

The Fredericksburg site covers the Fredericksburg and Hill Country area schools. Some of our North and South Texas schools still participate here, but most are encouraged to use the sites closer to them.

Currently there are 71 rockets scheduled for launch by 20 schools at the Stonewall location for Rockets 2021. This schedule may be updated this week with the possibility of some schools adding or dropping close to launch time.

Stages 1 and 2 will be at the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce building. Stage 3 and Mission Control will be located on the Sammy Segner Ranch off Double Horn Road.

If you follow this program and like to view the launches, Rockets 2021 will continue with one more launch in May. The final launch of the junior level rockets will be held in Smith Point just south of Anahuac, Texas (the Southeast Texas/Smith Point launch) for schools in the Houston and Southeast Texas area.

Excitement in anticipation for the Central Texas event is high as all are ready for a return to rockets once again after a year off due to COVID. SystemsGo team and volunteers will be ready to accept all participants and their rockets promptly Thursday morning. The site will have six launch rails ready to keep everyone’s #EyesOnTheSkies.

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

Central Texas/Stonewall:

Thursday, April 29- Saturday, May 1, Weather Contingency Day-Sunday, May 2
Launch Site: 2187 Double Horn Road, Stonewall, Texas 78671
Stage 1 & 2 at Stonewall Chamber of Commerce: 250 Peach Street, Stonewall, TX 78671
Central Texas-Stonewall 2021 Flight Schedule
Schools participating: Fabens HS, Fredericksburg HS, Granger HS, Hamilton HS, Kingwood HS, Marble Falls HS, McGregor HS, Roosevelt HS, Georgetown HS, Kermit HS, Tom Moore Ingram HS, Union Grove HS, Victoria East HS, Victoria West HS, New Diana HS, Harleton HS, London HS, Carroll HS, New Tech Odessa HS, Alamo Heights HS, Canon City HS
71 expected rockets for testing

Of course rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch. But you can still be prepared to 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.

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 possibly 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. This will be the fifth launch sequence and will finalize the Rockets 2021 season.

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

Hope to see you at the launches! #RideTheSkies #Texasrockettrail #Rockets2021

Rockets 2021 North Texas/Jacksboro Saturday Launch and Mission Complete

Saturday, Day 3, contingency, weather make up day for North Texas Rockets 2021 launch series. The crew sent 21 rockets skyward, encompassing all the launch schedule for Friday and the last 12 from Thursday. Recovery did an awesome job bringing them back. Only two were unrecoverable at this time.

It all went well. SystemsGo hosted another fantastic launch event.

Afterwards the SystemsGo team and volunteers dismantled the site, sending bunkers and other equipment to storage for next year’s launch season. Unfortunately our reservations expired abs no rooms were available so we’re all headed home or to friends and family in the area.

We ended this first event well, but it’s only one stop on the Texas Rockets Trail. Next stop Central Texas Rockets in Stonewall. Set up begins Monday with launches commencing on Thursday through Saturday.

A whole-hearted thanks is extended to all who helped make this launch possible.

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

North Texas was the first launch in the 2021 series, and is followed by launches in Central Texas/Stonewall and Southeast Texas/Smith Point, and the Jal, New Mexico launch.

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.

Later in the summer, several Texas schools White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, completing the fifth launch and finalizing the season.

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

Hope to see you at the launches! #RidetheSkies, #EyesontheSkies #ItisRocketscience

Rockets 2021 North Texas/Jacksboro Friday Launch Postponed for Storms

Friday, Day 2 for North Texas Rockets 2021 launch series was postponed due to storms in the area. The crew stayed at the site until around 3:00 p.m. with the hope for a window around 4:00 p.m. that might allow a few hours to send up at least part of the schedule, but it continued the conditions continued to deteriorate.

Recovery Team 1 spent the time adventuring around the area and managed to dig up a third rocket from 2019. The day was called and all rockets were packed for safety until the tomorrow morning.

Weather for Saturday looks good. The hope is to test all vehicles, those left from Thursday and Friday. Some schools are returning to watch and receive their vehicles. Others have left and will watch on the Livestream and collect their vehicles at a later date.

First launches are slated for 7:00a.m. Saturday morning. There are 21 rockets on the schedule. Today’s Livestream link will open for the launch tomorrow. Here is where to look: Livestream.

Afterwards the SystemsGo team and volunteers will be dismantling the site, sending bunkers and other equipment to storage for next year’s launch season, and heading home to begin setup for the Central Texas launches in Stonewall, the following weekend.

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. Due to COVID restrictions, no concessions or spectator tent will be available. No spectators are allowed 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.

North Texas was the first launch in the 2021 series, and is followed by launches in Central Texas/Stonewall and Southeast Texas/Smith Point, and the Jal, New Mexico launch. The rest of the schedule is as follows:

Central Texas (Stonewall) — April 29-May 1, weather contingency day on May 2nd
Southeast Texas (Anahuac/Smith Point) — May 6-8, weather contingency day May 9th
New Mexico (Jal) — May 11-13th
WSMR – TBD

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.

Later in the summer, several Texas schools White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, completing the fifth launch and finalizing the season.

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

Hope to see you at the launches! #RidetheSkies, #EyesontheSkies #ItisRocketscience

Thursday, Opening Day of Rockets 2021 in North Texas

Rockets 2021 opened today at the North Texas launch site in Jack county. It was a welcomed return to the skies after the 2019 season was furloughed for COVID. Four shools were slated to test a total of 19 rockets, originally. Eighteen vehicles actually arrived at the sight, but only 6 rockets were tested and left the pad successfully.

It was a long day, as intermissions were also long with a lot of down time. The team launched a rocket built by program director, Rebekah Hyatt. It was built for and used three years ago for Brett Williams retirement party. This was a fun way to start the day and test equipment while waiting on schools to arrive. Three years ago this vehicle had a perfect flight and recovery. Today it wasn’t quite as lucky. The fight went well, but deployment failed resulting in a ballistic re-entry between the pad and Mission Control. Needless to say it won’t have a third flight.

The first rocket didn’t launch until 1:30 p.m. as rockets were slow acquiring clearances from Stage 1 and 2. The day was called short at 6:30 p.m. due to a low cloud ceiling preventing further launches.

The crew was really beat after dealing with temperatures in the 50’s all day and strong, biting winds. Layers were the survival order of the day. Throughout the day, most seemed to gain layers in order to stay comfortable.

Tomorrow’s original schedule shows 4 schools and 11 rockets. Twelve more from today will be added to that schedule.

Storms are expected tomorrow leaving the team with a narrow window for launching, between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Due to this there is a strong possibility some vehicles will be held over to Saturday, to complete the mission. If the weather conditions improve, this could also change.

All the vehicles from today’s volley’s were recovered for the day. Two from the 2019 season were also recovered, including one called “The Black Night.” If this vehicle’s name sounds familiar it might belong to your school. It was in fairly good condition but missing the nose cone.

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

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

North Texas/Jack County:

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.
North Texas-Jack County 2021 Flight Schedule (Original schedule before today’s delays and postponements. Currently I do not have a revised schedule.)

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Schools participating: Buinger CTE Academy, Henrietta HS, Hollenstein CTC, Birdville CTE, Grapevine HS, Northstar HS, Petrolia HS, RL Turner HS
29 rockets expected for testing.
Livestream link here, or also at available at www.systemsgo.org for each day.

If you follow this program join us again tomorrow for Rockets 2021 Day 2 in Jacksboro.

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

Hope to see you at the launches! #RidetheSkies, #EyesontheSkies #ItisRocketscience

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