Tag: Rebekah Hyatt

The Countdown Has Begun for ROCKETS 2022!

SystemsGo staff  met last week Wednesday evening, to line out details for the upcoming Rockets 2022 launches.  Rebekah Hyatt, Program Director; Scott Netherland, Executive Director; George Burns, Jr., Assistant Program Director; Doug Kimbrell, Board President; and Phil Houseal, Communications Director; with Kirk Moore, Regional Director for Southeast Texas;  and Doug Underwood, Regional Director for North Texas joining on video. Also in attendance were volunteers, Steve Burow and Ginger Burow.

Necessities and logistics for all  Texas launch locations were discussed. Venues for lodging, and all needed equipment for each launch site were decided and individuals lined out to secure them . Travel plans were also lined out.

Dates for all events except White Sands Missile Range are as follows:

  • April 26-28, 2022-Jal, New Mexico
  • April 28-29, 2022-North Texas/Jack County
  • May 2, 2022 Pinon-Canyon, Colorado
  • May 5-7, 2022-Southeast Texas/Smith Point
  • May 12-14, 2022-Central Texas/Stonewall

Current schedules are still populating, so final vehicle totals are not yet available, but  the lineup is building for the spring launches. A call for volunteers has gone out. If you are interested in helping at one of the launches email SystemsGo at info@systemsgo.org .

Excitement is building and plans are under way. More updates will be posted as events get closer. Watch for changes that may be announced as plans and arrangements are completely finalized. Rockets will #RideTheSkies in about two months. Rockets are back on the radar and nearly ready to fly.

Event details will continue to be available here.

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

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

Goddard Level Rockets Return to The Skies Once Again in 15 Days, Rockets 2021

The Goddard level rockets, which are the capstones of the SystemsGo program and the culmination of all the skills the students learned throughout their years in the program are set to launch June 25-27. This marks the final senior project for the schools that participate in this level of the program, and the last big event of the Rockets 2021 season.

Four schools are scheduled for testing at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) .  The numbers of schools able to participate in this part of the program this year are significantly down. This is again due to COVID creating learning and participation barriers for students in both the 2020 and 2021 school years. Lack of in class time made it hard for students to finish large projects like these. 

Due to shutdowns for COVID last year, White Sands Missile Range is also backlogged with military contracts that take priority. They are still accommodating our group but our regular range, WC-50 is under heavy contract and will not be available. We will instead be located on a smaller range, ABC-1. This poses several new restrictions for the group.

The first of these is an even more limited number of personnel allowed on the range during set up and launches. ABC-1 is a smaller range than what the group usually uses. It is not equipped with a large bunker like WC-50.  Therefore, only two SystemsGo personnel will stay on the range during each launch. ALL others will be evacuated to Tula G. There will be video and radio communications with the pad available at Tula G. 

A small group of SystemsGo essential people will evacuate to a limit of 5 miles out to expedite turn around between launches.

Because of this change, no non-essential personnel should expect to attend the event. Chaperones should be limited and double as drivers if possible. Along with a smaller launch site, there will not be any public viewing for parents and students at Range Control. WSMR COVID restrictions still do not allow for visitors at Range Control.

The second big change will affect the teams and their rockets. ABC-1 is a much smaller range than is generally used for this event. Because of this, it does not meet the criteria in recovery radius needed for vehicles reaching an altitude of 100,000 feet. Schools are now required to alter their rocket altitude requirements to a lesser height of 50,000 feet. The suggested correction for this is to adapt fuel loads for each vehicle to quell the altitude it can reach.

That sounds simple but adjusting fuel load and altitude also effects things like apogee and recovery deployment just to mention. Students are reminded that adjustments to their altimeters and recovery systems to adapt to the 50,000 ‘ Apogee limit is a necessity.

Part of this program is the challenges and meeting those challenges. It is late in the process, but it will be interesting to see how each team steps up to these new  challenges and overcomes them in the time they still have before arriving for launch at WSMR.

The third change is another location change, this time for the Flight Readiness Reviews (FRR). These are normally conducted on WC-50. ABC-1 cannot accommodate this, so they will be hosted by the Alamogordo High School. Currently this is projected to be in their commons room. These will begin promptly at 7:00 AM, Friday morning, June 25th.  Additional information about this may be available in an update email from Program Director, Rebekah Hyatt, closer to the event.

WSMR has military testing on Friday morning. At its completion, SystemsGo personnel will go down range to ABC-1 to begin set-up for launches.  If Brazoswood and Union Grove are complete at this time they will bring their vehicles and assist in set-up, rail assembly, and will load their rockets onto the rails in preparations of first launch. If not, all remaining schools will wait and come as a group later in the day.

Launches are scheduled for June 26th and June 27th. The team will travel out to WSMR on Wednesday, June 24th, and back home again on either the 27th or the 28th. Hopeful expectations are that all rockets are launch complete on Saturday. Sunday is still open for contingency. There is a probability that WSMR may shift launch days and want testing for SystemsGo to be on Friday and Saturday. If this happens the first two rockets will launch Friday afternoon. This would also move FRR checks up to Thursday afternoon at either the school or the hotel parking lot as is available.

SystemsGo asks that everyone be prepared for any scenario and arrive as early as possible on Thursday so that any changes to the schedule can be accommodated. All paperwork must be turned in on Thursday as well. This includes:

  • UXO briefing registry
  • WSMR waiver
  • SystemsGo waiver

There are four schools scheduled to launch four rockets. These schools in their current projected launch order include:

  • Brazoswood
  • Union Grove
  • Booker T Washington
  • Alamo Heights

This order is based on the random draw and totally contingent on rocket completion and readiness. Otherwise, they will test in order of readiness, first done, first to launch.

Good luck to these students and schools! We will be seeing you very soon in New Mexico!

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.

#Rockets2021 #SystemsGo #RideTheSky #Texasrockettrail #Rockets2021

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.

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

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

Rockets 2021 Southeast Texas/Smith Point Launches Saturday

Saturday was a super slow day for launching. Only two had been tested by 11:30. And they were still the only two by 4:11.  There were still 5 and one possible relaunch trying to qualify through Stages 1 and 2.

The evening became longer yet. At 4:16 the rocket #123 rework/relaunch  was the first to return to Stage 3. Others were very slow to follow.
At 6:15 #123A finally went for its relaunch followed by three more in fairly quick succession. The final one for the day made it to the rail but then developed issues which the pad crew worked diligently to overcome. Launch was attempted and failed and another attempt was made to correct some minor problems. As the crew worked the vehicle began to lose integrity and show signs of coming apart on the rail. The unfortunate call was eventually made to abort the launch and it was returned to the students. This ended testing for the Southeast Texas/Smith Point launch weekend.

More information on these launches can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

If you follow this program and like viewing the launches, there is one more available to view for Rockets 2021. Jal, New Mexico will be launching May 11-13.
 Picture uploads from The Texas Rocket Trail of Rockets 2021 can be found on my Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ginger.burow/

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 #texasrockettrail #Rockets2021 #gettothepoint

Rockets 2021 Southeast Texas/Smith Point Launches Friday Update

Friday morning was an early one. Chita Craft and her Channel 11 News crew covered an early launch while reporting the weather from the site. Students from Anahuac were interviewed before launching Rocket 100, which they had built.

It was a successful launch, although the chute did not deploy, and it landed ballistic about 150 feet from Recovery Team 4, (Steve and Myself). It was completely dug into the ground with only about one foot and the fins still visible.

Chita Craft, came out to the landing site and took pictures as the teams retrieved it from the ground. Afterwards, the recovery teams took a photo opp with Ms. Craft.

Today’s schedule boasts four schools and 19 rockets. As of 5:00 this afternoon, ten had launched and another 8 were accounted for and expected to launch. Another long evening was rolling on as everyone awaited final checks in Stage 3 so that rockets could load the pad.

The goal was not to have any hold overs to tomorrow so that a hopefully short schedule could be maintained. As this week has shown though even short schedules can become long. Clearing vehicles through the stages is a little longer process this year as students have had to navigate all the COVID issues with school this last year, and that has made work on these vehicles hard to accomplish. This has left some arriving here not as prepared as they both thought they were, or as they would normally have been. Patience has been long, hard and required for all aspects of this year’s launches.

By evening’s end 20 had left the rail. This included the Anahuac display for the news.
Thus ended another long day of launching.

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

Southeast Texas/Smith Point

  • Saturday, May 8
  • Launch & All Stages: 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
    South of Anahuac, near Smith Point, Texas
  • Southeast Texas-Smith Point 2019 Flight Schedule
  • -Schools participating: Booker T Washington HS, Liberty HS, , Milby HS, Summer Creek HS, Liberty HS
  • 57 expected rockets for testing
  • A live feed for each launch will be provided and will be available at www.systemsgo.org as each launch date arrives.
  • May 8- Day 3

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.

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. Rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch, and delay schedules.

If you follow this program and like viewing the launches, there is one more available to view for Rockets 2021. Jal, New Mexico will be launching May 11-13.

Daily reports featuring schedules, school names, pictures and some editorial content will be posted during the event 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 #texasrockettrail #Rockets2021 #EyesontheSkies #gettothepoint

Rockets 2021 Southeast Texas/Smith Point Launches Thursday Recap

The Southeast Texas/Smith Point testing site had it’s first day of launches today. Originally 41 vehicles were scheduled for testing by 20 schools at this site.  Testing days are May 6-8, with a rain contingency day to be used only if needed on May 9.

The schedule for today slated five schools launching 12 rockets. This quickly dropped to four schools and 5 rockets for today. Their is a seventh one for Anahuac, which will launch at 6:45 tomorrow morning. Of the original five schools scheduled to launch today, Sunnyvale High School aborted, a few other schools did not bring the full numbers they had originally quoted, and one do not qualify and returned home.

Launches were very slow even though numbers were low. Only two vehicles had been tested by 2:30. The other four still had not passed through to Stage 3. What should have been a short day, became long day of waiting. The last rocket finally launched at 7:00 p.m. was recovered and the crew headed fir food.    .

Teacher, Kirk Moore arranged for Channel 11  News to broadcast live tomorrow, Friday at the launch site. Since our sites are closed to public participation this year, this is a wonderful opportunity for the students. He is planning a launch at 6:45 a.m. He state that he is, ” Pumped that we are finally getting chance to show what our kids do.”

He also has Chita Craft doing live weather from the launch site. If weather cooperates, Mr. Moore commented that, ” It’s going to be an early morning, but well worth it!”

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

Southeast Texas/Smith Point

  • Friday, May 7
  • Launch & All Stages: 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
    South of Anahuac, near Smith Point, Texas
  • Southeast Texas-Smith Point 2021 Flight Schedule (Not including Anahuac’s 6:45 a.m. TV launch.)
  • Schools participating: Pasadena Memorial HS, Brazoswood HS, Kingwood HS, Anahuac HS
  • 35  expected rockets for testing
  • A Livestream for each launch will be provided and will be available at www.systemsgo.org as each launch date arrives.
  • May 7- Day 2
  • 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

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.

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. Rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch, and delay schedules.

If you follow this program and like viewing the launches, there is one more available to view for Rockets 2021 after this one. Jal, New Mexico launches next week, May 11-13.

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

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

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 #texasrockettrail #Rockets2021 #EyesontheSkies #gettothepoint

Rockets 2021 Southeast Texas/Smith Point Launches This Thursday

The 2021 Texas Rocket Trail season is on it’s last leg of the junior series launches with the Southeast Texas/Smith Point testing site. Currently 41 vehicles are scheduled for testing by 20 schools at this site. Testing begins this week, May 6-8, with a weather contingency day to be used only if needed on May 9.

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.

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

Southeast Texas/Smith Point

  • Thursday, May 6 – Saturday, May 8
  • Launch & All Stages: 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
    South of Anahuac, near Smith Point, Texas
  • Southeast Texas-Smith Point 2021 Flight Schedule
  • Schools participating: Gary HS, Hardin-Jefferson HS, Hargrave HS, Northstar HS,  Anahuac HS, Booker T Washington HS, Liberty HS, Pasadena Memorial HS, Brazoswood HS, Kingwood Park HS, Milby HS, Sunnyvale HS,  Summer Creek HS
  • 41 expected rockets for testing
  • A Livestream for each launch is provided and available at www.systemsgo.org 

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

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. Rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch, and delay schedules.

If you follow this program and like viewing the launches, there is one more available to view for Rockets 2021. Jal, New Mexico will be launching May 11-13.

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

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

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

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

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 #texasrockettrail #Rockets2021 #EyesontheSkies #gettothepoint

Rockets 2021 Central Texas/Stonewall Ended Today, Sunday, With a Weather Makeup Day

The Central Texas/Stonewall launch hit its final day in this series for the Rockets 2021 season, today. This day was not originally on the schedule but added due to inclement weather on Thursday and Friday to allow schools another launch option if they could not complete theirs due to the bad weather. Only one school, Georgetown High School chose this option. They had four rockets to test today. Three 1 pound/1 mile and 1 Transonic.

All four vehicles were tested and launched, 3 beautifully, and the fourth only made about fifty feet, before tumbling back down near the pad. Even so, all were tested and all recovered.

There was some added interest in this school for the Segner and Spies families, as they had a couple of relatives that recently began working for this school that joined the rocket group at the ranch to watch the launches.

Thanks so much to Sammy Segner, Troy, Jennifer, and Reed Spies, and Richard Koone for the use of their properties and for joining in the hunt for rockets as recovery teams. They made the weekend very enjoyable for everyone involved. It was a great first year at the new location and everyone is looking forward to being there again next season.

There were a total of 71 rockets tested by 20 schools at the Stonewall location for Rockets 2021. The recovery teams did a wonderful job of hunting them and returning them to the students. There were only 2 that were not recovered.

Thanks is also in order for the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce for hosting Stage 1 and 2 at their building.

Pictures from the progress at the site to this weekend 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

If you follow this program and like to view the launches, Rockets 2021 will continue with one more launch next week, May 6-8, with a possible weather make up day again on Sunday. There are some weather predictions for next week that might necessitate using Sunday just as we did this week. 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.

The Smith Point 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.

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. Rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch, and delay schedules.

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 Livestream 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.

The senior groups are tentatively scheduled to launch their Goddard level rockets at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico in late June.  These are not available for public viewing or Livestream due to being tested on a military facility, but blog and SystemsGo updates will be posted online as available during that week. This will be the fifth launch sequence and will finalize the Rockets 2019 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.

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

Hope to see you at the launches! #RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2019

Rockets 2021 Central Texas/Stonewall Soggy Saturday Evening Launch Report

Today was the third day of launches at Stonewall for Central Texas Rockets 2021. Weather was again the issue of the day. Rain delayed the start again for the second day. Stages 1 and 2 which were able to continue getting all the rockets through checks.

Unfortunately the same could not be said for Stage 3 checks as they were stalled several times for weather. Because of this some teams did not leave their rockets when asked to go for shelter and so those will  still have to pass Stage 3 tomorrow. All those that did leave their rockets have been checked.

The storms kept everything stalled until 4:30 this afternoon when a short window between storms allowed one volley resulting in three off the rail and two misfires. An attempt was made for a second volley but to no avail. Instead it was a race to secure the rockets and equipment to safety and retreat from the site before next line of storms.

That leaves a massive docket of vehicles for testing on Sunday. 51 if all of today’s are actually present.  It will be a busy Sunday if all goes well! Should be interesting to see how many the crew can put up in one day!

Some of the volunteers passed the time playing dominoes during rain storms while no rocket teams were there for checks. The rest of us passed the time visiting and watching the radar. Luckily tomorrow’s forecast looks much better than  the past couple of days.

Livestream should be back up to cover the festivities which will start extra early tomorrow. First rockets up by daybreak as long as we can reach the site after flooding rains this evening.

It’s 11:30 p.m. now and I’m still waiting to cross the Palo Alto  Creek slab and go home along with five other cars of neighbors and B/B guests.

Today was originally scheduled to be the last day of Central Texas Rockets here in Stonewall, but due to weather on Thursday and Friday we are still launching tomorrow. 

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. Rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch, and delay schedules.

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

Central Texas/Stonewall:

  • Sunday,  May 2-Weather Contingency Day
  • Launch Site: 2187 Double Horn Road, Stonewall, Texas 78671
    Stage 1 & 2 at Stonewall Chamber of Commerce: 250 Peach Street, Stonewall, TX 78671
  • Schedule for Sunday: All or as close to that as possible!
  • Schools participating: Georgetown HS, Kermit HS, London HS, Carroll HS, New Diana, Kingwood, Hamilton, Roosevelt, Fabens, Harleton, Marble Falls, Union Grove, Victoria East, Victoria West, McGregor, Fredericksburg, Alamo Heights, Ingram, and Canon City.
  • 71 expected rockets for testing
  • 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: May 2- Day 4

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

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

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 #texasrockettrail #Rockets2021 #EyesontheSkies

Rockets 2021 Central Texas/Stonewall Belay Those Friday Launches

Belay, belay, belay! The story of the day!

The act of belaying, is described as something a leader may require in order to tackle more difficult situations. It means to stop, it’s enough. That is exactly SystemsGo Program Director, Rebekah Hyatt had to do today with rockets. She finally had to make the call based on intel from Patrick Miller our meteorologist to belay any further attempt at launching today, due to weather.

This was not the outcome for the day that anyone had hoped to have. Due to the low cloud ceiling with continuous rain and drizzle it was the only correct answer for the day. Launches were called of for the day, with the hope of resuming tomorrow. Unfortunately, the weather prognosis for tomorrow is also grave. There are only two small windows tomorrow, one around 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and another mid-afternoon around 4:00 a.m. If these do not materialize, then Sunday is the only shot for all the rockets left from Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Right now that would be eight from Thursday, 19 from today, and a possible 27 from Saturday if all rockets on the current Saturday schedule arrive and pass Stages 1, 2 and 3 checks. If anyone is counting, that is 54 rockets. That will be quite a feat and a super busy day for Sunday. There is a slight possibility of a small contingent being transported to the next launch in Anahuac, but that has plenty of challenges in itself and is not an ideal situation.

The best hope is to get whatever windows however small they may be for tomorrow and put up as many as the team can in that time in order to lighten the load for Sunday. On the bright side, right now Sunday’s weather looks warm, partly cloudy and sunny right now, with the best prognosis for flying rockets we have had all week.

From Thursday’s docket, Fabens and Harleton each have one one pound/one mile yet to test. New Diana, Kingwood, Hamilton, Roosevelt, Harleton, and Marble Falls all show one Transonic each ready to test.

Today’s schedule has Union Grove with one 1/1 and two Transonic, Victoria East with four 1/1, Victoria West with one 1/1, McGregor with two 1/1, Fredericksburg with two Transonic, Alamo Heights with three Transonic, Ingram Tom Moore High School with three 1/1 and Canon City with one 1/1.

Saturday’s schedule is posted below and shows as stated previously, 27 rockets.

I want to take a quick shout out to Canon City. They are a first year launch group and have traveled the farthest to launch this weekend. Unfortunately due to the weather, they may not even be able to be here to see their vehicle fly. That is the case now for several schools, but this is their first rocket, and they are from Canon City, Colorado! They are the first CO school to participate in the launches.

I spoke with them and their teacher, David Laughlin, today, and they were super excited to be here and and be part of the program. Their group was a mix of sophomores to seniors. They were impressed with all the program had taught them, and how much fun it has been to be a part of this learning experience.

I have to say that the young ladies and gentlemen and their teacher were very polite and friendly and a joy to talk with about their experience in the program. I am greatly remiss that though I was sure I would remember, I did not write them down and have forgotten the students’ names that I spoke with this afternoon. I did get their picture though. They are the cover photo for this blog piece. Congratulations on getting here for your first launch, safe travels, and good luck on your vehicle’s flight.

I also want to report that as of Friday morning, recovery was at 100% as all rockets have been located and returned to Misssion Control.

Tomorrow’s weather window for launching may be unstable right now, and start time unsure, but even so all Stage 1, 2 and 3 checks will remain on schedule with usual start times around 6:00 a.m. The idea is to get all rockets through the stages so they are rail ready when the opportunity arises, be it tomorrow or Sunday.

Today’s weather delays afforded me the opportunity to go see the students at Stage 1 and 2. I do not usually have that chance. I did get several pictures of the students and their rockets as they worked through the check points with the staff and their teachers. Here are just a couple of those. The rest can be found on my daily album on Facebook. The link is posted below.

IMG_0803

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

Stages 1 and 2 will continue to 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. Rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch, and delay schedules.

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:

  • Saturday, May 1
  • 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
  • This is the original projected Saturday schedule. As mentioned above, Thursday and Friday’s remaining rockets will also be attempted given the needed weather window.
  • Schools participating: Georgetown HS, Kermit HS, London HS, Carroll HS, New Diana, Kingwood, Hamilton, Roosevelt, Fabens, Harleton, Marble Falls, Union Grove, Victoria East, Victoria West, McGregor, Fredericksburg, Alamo Heights, Ingram, and Canon City.
  • 71 expected rockets for testing-27 on Saturday, 8 from Thursday, 19  from Friday
  • 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: May 1- Day 3

The sites will be open to admittance for students and teachers only at 6:00 a.m. Projected start time for launches is normally 8:30 a.m. but currently due to weather, actual launch start time is unknown. Mission Control will update this as weather data allows. 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. Weather will determine the rest.

More event details will be available here in upcoming days as events progress. Daily reports featuring schedule links, school names, results, pictures and some editorial content will be posted each day of the event 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 #texasrockettrail #Rockets2021 #EyesontheSkies