Tag: Rockets 2024

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

Rockets 2024 Southeast Texas/Smith Point Launches Wednesday/Thursday 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 cloudy and rainy days in Central Texas that resulted in the rockets being tested without students on Monday and Tuesday, we are hoping for better weather this weekend.

Rain has inundated the area last week, and the site here in Smith Point already has more than it’s share of water standing around. Flood waters were present in all rivers and water ways on the trip down to Smith Point. The weather forecast was looking pretty good for the weekend at the beginning of the week, but warnings were already being issued for the state from the hill country through the east coast by this afternoon.  Light drizzle was falling at our courts in Oak Island by 8:00 this evening. We are still hopefull that tomorrow and the weekend will allow all rockets to fly before andy serious weather insues.

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. They were unable to test the pad so that will be done in the morning. Communications will be established tomorrow as well. Phil Houseal is unable to come to this launch so Bert Mikosh will be manning the operations with help from students and other team members.

The drawbacks at the site so far have been standing water, alligators and mostly mosquitos! Bring the OFF, you will need it. Bring rubber boots, you will need them as well.

The team is once again trying out new accommodations here in Anahuac, as the Oak Island Resort and Hurricane Tita’s Bar and Grill closed down. So we moved farther down the water way closer to Trinity Bay into Oak Island Lodge. Community bathrooms for the group are a new experience, but we will survive. It has a great view of the water though the moquitos are swarming here as well.

We tried a new place this year for supper as a group. Tony’s Bar-Be-Que was pretty good. Some had BBQ, others had fish, shrimp, alligator bites, zucchini fries, fried pickles, fries, and stuffed jalepenos.

The original schedule listed 10 schools and 37 rockets slated for testing this weekend in Smith Point. Due to weather issues in other sites there may be some additions/subtractions to the schedule as some may travel here to attempt launching. There may also be schools that add or drop the number they are testing that were already listed as part of the schedule. Due to this, the schedules posted here are now an estimate as changes are not always published.

Twenty +/- 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.

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 10, 2024
  • 5 are Schools participating Friday at Smith Point
  • 20 expected rockets for testing on Friday.
  • Friday, May 10, 2024
    School Name / Teacher 1/1 Trans
    American Community School Kevin Collins 2
    Brazoswood HS             Chris McLeod 4
    Friendswood HS               Jim Foreman 4
    Harden Jefferson            Mike Fogo 2 2
    Kingwood Park               Glenn Taylor 4 2
    Schools Launching                      5
    Totals 16 4
    Total Rockets                          20
  • 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,  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!

#RideTheSkies2024 #TexasRocketTrail #Rockets2024 #EyesToTheSkies

Rockets 2024, Friday, May 3, Central Texas/Stonewall Weather Weary Launch Report

Rockets 2024, Central Texas/Stonewall Edition, continued today. The original schedule listed 27 rockets for today. 23 were left from yesterday that were unable to launch due to weather. The plan had been to try to get some of yesterday’s off the rails while waiting for today’s to move through from Stage 1 to Stage 3. The weather again did not cooperate so when a launch opportunity finally opened up at 2:20 this afternoon we started with those who were present and ready from today’s docket.

The first volley consisted of 3 successful launches and recoveries. The next volley of 4 involved three from today and one, #68 from yesterday. All had beautiful flights, but unfortunately went unrecovered as 2 are believed to be on the Iron Game Ranch and 2 more on the Klein property across the road. We did not have permission to enter those properties today, but will later in the weekend and they may be recovered at that time.

Tomorrow only 7 rockets are on the schedule, but we still have 22 left from Thursday, and 17 left from today. That sets the grand total still to be launched to 46. Once again if we get better weather and an opening in the clouds before those 7 for tomorrow are ready, we will fill in the time with some of our holdovers from yesterday and today. If our 7 are ready when the sky is ready, then they are up first. Either way we will try to launch as many as weather permits tomorrow.

Program Director, Rebekah Hyatt has already made plans with teachers, volunteers(as available) and land owners to launch on Monday and Tuesday to try to get all vehicles tested if weather permits. Hopefully it does not come to that, but unfortunately the current weather reports are not in our favor. After tuesday the team has to transition to Anahuac/Smith Point for the SETX launches.

Test vehicles like these often push the time schedules all on their own. Vent hoses, o rings, altimeter switches, and a host of other issues can send a rocket on numerous trips from pad back to Stage 3 and back again. Weather, as we have all seen again this year effects the schedule as well. We have been under Severe weather watches all weekend, and the possibility is still there. It has not been on our side so far this weekend, let us hope tomorrow shows us a brighter day, will hold off the rain and lift the cloud ceiling until we are done. The team would like to call it complete and not go into one or maybe more days of contingency.

After the completion of this weekend’s launches be it tomorrow or later, the Texas Rocket Trail will move to Smith Point in Anahuac, down in the Houston area for the final leg of the season before the spring launches end for another year.

Pictures from the day’s events 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

Tomorrow’s launches will continue at the Sammy Segner Ranch on Double Horn Road with Stages 1 and 2 will be at the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce building.

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 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 4, 2024
  • 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 2024 Flight Schedule
  • Saturday, May 4, 2024
  • School Name / Teacher 1/1 Trans
  • London                            
  • Toni Castle 1 2
  • Alamo Heights          
  • Colin Lang 2 2                        
  • 2   Schools Launching
  • Totals 3 4
  • Total Rockets 7
  • Schools participating this year in Stonewall: Fabens HS, Fredericksburg HS, Johnson HS, Hamilton HS, Kingwood HS, Marble Falls HS, Roosevelt HS, Georgetown HS, Atascocita HS, Victoria East HS, Harleton HS, London HS, New Tech Odessa HS, Alamo Heights HS, Union Grove HS, McGregor HS, Canon City HS
  • 15 rockets slated for testing on Saturday.
  • A Livestream for each launch will be provided and will be available at www.systemsgo.org on the Events page each day.

The sites will be open to admittance for students and teachers only at 6:00 a.m. Projected start time for launches is 10:00 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 schedules, school names, 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. Your students’ futures will benefit.

Hope to see you at the launches!

#RideTheSkies #TexasRocketTrail #Rockets2024 #EyesToTheSkies

April 27, 2024, Rockets 2024 North Texas/Jacksboro Saturday Launch Update Final Day Report

Friday, Day 2, the final day for North Texas Rockets 2024 launch series was mission complete by  this afternoon, by  with all rockets launched by 5:35p.m. Seventeen rockets from six different schools left the rails today. These schools included University HS, RL Turner HS, Petrolia HS,  Northstar HS, and two hold overs from yesterday, one each from Hollenstein HS, and Carroll HS.

Weather for Friday was mostly cloudy for most of the day, but with a high ceiling. A threat of severe storms loomed in the area through the day.  The winds were high,  but only a small amount of drizzle crossed our range. Reports of large tornadoes, hail and heavy rain in the Wichita Falls, Munday and Electra areas were in late afternoon to early evening. 

First launches blasted off shortly after 11:25 this morning.  After the first volley, the pad kept the rockets flying in a fairly continuous  set each time the rails were full so that they could send all vehicles skyward before the storms could shut down flights.

Out of 17 rockets launched, only 3  were recoverable, most chose to disappear without a trace. The flights were beautiful, and most opened and came down under chute. The unfortunate aspect was that the high winds kept them flying high for too long and then dropping in the distance in waste high grass. This made for very difficult recovery. There were only two teams today. We worked grids in the areas the rockets were last seen but unfortunately came up empty more often than not this year. It was very frustrating for the teams as we like to find them and bring them back to the students as much as the students like to get them back. It just means there will be a lot of old rockets that may be found in up coming years. Unless of course the land owners locate them and return them to SystemsGo first.

The final rocket was launched at 5:35.After which the Team tore down the whole site and packed away in the new cargo trailer for NTX until next year. Unfortunately, this process took until right at 10:00pm. and then we all headed back to Jacksboro to 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 8:00am and then head home to prepare for the next sequence at the Central Texas/Stonewall launches this coming week,  May 2nd through the 4th. A contingency day is built into Sunday, May 5th if needed.

Just an FYI, our live feed media expert, Phil Houseal, fell ill on us this weekend and had to leave the site. Therefore if you were trying to watch the Livefeed on Saturday you might have noticed it was not to be found. We are sorry for the inconvenience. We hope to have things up and running again by this coming weekend’s launch, as well as he is recovered.

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 sleep. Much needed sleep. 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.

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 2024 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#Rockets2024

 

 

April 27, 2024, Rockets 2024 North Texas/Jacksboro Saturday Launch Update Final Day Report

Friday, Day 2, the final day for North Texas Rockets 2024 launch series was mission complete by  this afternoon, by  with all rockets launched by 5:35p.m. Seventeen rockets from six different schools left the rails today. These schools included University HS, RL Turner HS, Petrolia HS,  Northstar HS, and two hold overs from yesterday, one each from Hollenstein HS, and Carroll HS.

Weather for Friday was mostly cloudy for most of the day, but with a high ceiling. A threat of severe storms loomed in the area through the day.  The winds were high,  but only a small amount of drizzle crossed our range. Reports of large tornadoes, hail and heavy rain in the Wichita Falls, Munday and Electra areas were in late afternoon to early evening. 

First launches blasted off shortly after 11:25 this morning.  After the first volley, the pad kept the rockets flying in a fairly continuous  set each time the rails were full so that they could send all vehicles skyward before the storms could shut down flights.

Out of 17 rockets launched, only 3  were recoverable, most chose to disappear without a trace. The flights were beautiful, and most opened and came down under chute. The unfortunate aspect was that the high winds kept them flying high for too long and then dropping in the distance in waste high grass. This made for very difficult recovery. There were only two teams today. We worked grids in the areas the rockets were last seen but unfortunately came up empty more often than not this year. It was very frustrating for the teams as we like to find them and bring them back to the students as much as the students like to get them back. It just means there will be a lot of old rockets that may be found in up coming years. Unless of course the land owners locate them and return them to SystemsGo first.

The final rocket was launched at 5:35.After which the Team tore down the whole site and packed away in the new cargo trailer for NTX until next year. Unfortunately, this process took until right at 10:00pm. and then we all headed back to Jacksboro to 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 8:00am and then head home to prepare for the next sequence at the Central Texas/Stonewall launches this coming week,  May 2nd through the 4th. A contingency day is built into Sunday, May 5th if needed.

Just an FYI, our live feed media expert, Phil Houseal, fell ill on us this weekend and had to leave the site. Therefore if you were trying to watch the Livefeed on Saturday you might have noticed it was not to be found. We are sorry for the inconvenience. We hope to have things up and running again by this coming weekend’s launch, as well as he is recovered.

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 sleep. Much needed sleep. 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.

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 2024 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#Rockets2024

 

 

Rockets 2024, Thursday, April 25th North Texas Launch Site Prep Day

The SystemsGo team and volunteers spent Wednesday and Thursday at the site in North Texas, near Jacksboro in Jack County,  transforming the Brown  and Thornton family ranches into a launch site,  once again for this year’s 2024 NTX launch.  Friday morning, marks opening day for this Texas launch venue, as schools, students, and test vehicles arrive for the Rockets 2024 launch line up.

This is the event’s fifth 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 Stage 3, Mission Control and launching.

This year’s event is sponsored by Lockheed Martin as well as Tellus of Stephenville who supplied the ATV’s used by recovery. Bert Mikosh of CredenceIO Technologies was instrumental in installing Starlink WIFI  to support our technology and communications. And The Sid W. Richardson Foundation is the original founding sponsor for SystemsGo for this event.

Pictures from the progress of the launches at this site are shared 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

The featured picture at the head of this article, shows a little about the range land this particular launch event calls home. The signage shows the sense of irony and humor our group has. After all, placement is everything!

Concessions for this year’s launch event in Jacksboro, were to be provided by Brazos Volunteer Fire Department .  Unfortunately due the predictions of inclement weather possible in the area, they had to cancel in order to be able to provide timely support around their community in the event weather hazards arise. Due to this we ask that all teachers, etc. bring food, drinks, and snacks for your students and other members in your party.

Restrooms and wash stations will be provided by Mobile Thrones  again this year, both at the launch site and the Stage 1 and 2, Event parking site.

A spectator tent will NOT be available on site this year. Teachers and Spectators are encouraged to bring 10×10 pop up tents for themselves and their students for extra shelter. 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. Sunday is our built in weather contingency day should we need to delay launches. All rockets and students should proceed through Stages 1, 2, and 3 at their assigned times each day so that each vehicle can be completed and be ready for launch if possible. If delays happen the completed rockets will be stored in a trailer until the next available, safe launch spot becomes available, either that day, or subsequent days as circumstances allow.

Parents are asked to ride with their students in the school buses from Stage 1 and 2. Other spectators will have provided parking, watch for signage marking that area and instructions on how you will be brought in  from there. We will not be shuttling spectators to the launch site this year.

Jacksboro is the first Texas launch for the Rockets 2024 season but the second launch in the SystemsGo launch line up for the spring rocket trail. SystemsGo New Mexico held the first launch, in Jal, New Mexico, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. North Texas will be followed by launches in  Central Texas/Stonewall and Southeast Texas/Smith Point.

North Texas/Jack County, is hosting 8 schools, slated to test 44 rockets  Friday and Saturday. Sunday is set as a contingency day in case of inclement weather. Storms are possible due to a cold front moving through the area with the highest possibilities being Saturday and Sunday. Due to this watch for possible weather delays and schedule changes. Hopefully they will not be necessary, but the possibility looms.

Tomorrow’s basic launch details including schools are also listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

North Texas/Jack County:

  • Friday, April 26-Saturday, April 27 (Contingency Day, Sunday, April 28.)
  • Launch Site: FM 2210 W and Gowan Ranch Lane, Jacksboro, TX 76458
    Stage 1 & 2 are at the bus parking area. Look for the signs, you will arrive there first.
  • North Texas-Jack County 2023 Flight Schedules may be downloaded from the SystemsGo/Events page.
  • Schools participating:  BCTAL, Hollenstein CTC,  Carroll HS
  • 44  expected rockets for testing.
  • Watch the Livestream here: Streaming Link April 26 NTX
  • 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. 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 to SystemsGo Terms and Conditions 2024. There is no charge, but proof of registration is required before entering the site.
  2. Ticket Links can be found https://www.systemsgo.org/events/ listed under each individual venue.

Questions and concerns may be directed to info@systemsgo.org.

If you cannot attend in person, join in the action and cheer on your students on the Livestream. The link is provided above and on the SystemsGo/Event page. The look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered, is beyond priceless. If they know you are watching and supporting them, that makes it mean so much more.  Shoot them a text, or iMessage letting them know you are watching online. You can also join in on the live chat on the Vimeo Live Stream.

The Livestream is a perfect way to follow SystemsGo’s upcoming launches in Central Texas/Stonewall and Southeast Texas/Smith Point. Be sure to check the SystemsGo/Event page for the link to each event.

You can follow along on the SystemsGo Recovery Portal to see the status of you or your students’ rocket. See whether the rocket is ready for launch, has launched, whether it has been recovered and the status of the vehicle at recovery, or if it was lost and unable to be recovered.

More event details will be available here in upcoming days. Daily reports featuring schedules, school names, results, pictures and some editorial content will be posted during the events if information is available.

Our day is now done. We had a nice dinner at JR’s Chop House B&B, and it is time for bed, because it will be early to rise tomorrow, with all #EyesToTheSkies. See you at the launch!

Please watch the SystemsGo website, SystemsGo Facebook page,  SystemsGo X (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 #Rockets2024 #SystemsGoRocketTrail #TexasRocketTrail

 

ROCKETS 2024 Season, Spring Launch Sequence Begins Tomorrow!!!!!

SystemsGo Rockets 2024 is in it’s final hours of prep before the first launch with T-0 set for early Tuesday morning in Jal, New Mexico. After launches on Tuesday and Wednesday in Jal, action will transition to the second venue in Jacksboro, TX for the Northeast Texas Launches on Friday and Saturday. Central Texas Launches are third on the docket and will open in Stonewall the first week in May on Thursday through Saturday, and Smith Point will host the Southeast Texas Launches on Friday and  Saturday of the second week in May, concluding the 2024 Spring Launch series.

Necessities and logistics for all  Texas and New Mexico launch venues have been established. Travel  and accommodation plans are also lined out, and the Team is ready.

Things that will be available onsite this year:

  1. Concessions  (menus may be limited.)
    1. We encourage bringing your own 10×10 pop up for extra shelter from weather be it sun or rain.
  2. Hand washing stations and portable restrooms.
  3. A Livestream link from all Texas launches. Available online at https://www.systemsgo.org/events/ The correct link will be listed under each venue information section.
  4. A Google map link directing you to the launch site and the individual Stages is available at https://www.systemsgo.org/events/

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 to SystemsGo Terms and Conditions 2024. There is no charge, but proof of registration is required before entering the site.
  2. Ticket Links can be found https://www.systemsgo.org/events/ listed under each individual venue.

Questions and concerns may be directed to info@systemsgo.org.

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

  • Jal, New Mexico  — April 23-24
    • Phillips Hill Rd & County Rd 10, Jal NM 88252
  • North Texas/Jack County — April 26-27,  weather contingency day on the 28th
    • FM 2210 W and Gowan Ranch Lane, Jacksboro, TX 76458
  • Central Texas/Stonewall — May 2-4,  weather contingency day on May 5th
    • 2187 Double Horn Road, Stonewall, Texas 78671
  • Southeast Texas/Smith Point — May 10-11,  weather contingency day May 12th
    • 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
  • WSMR – Late June, final dates TBD

Eleven schools will launch in Jal, and a total of 36 schools in the three Texas launches, which brings the grand total of schools to 47. A total of 169  rockets will be tested between the Texas and New Mexico launches for this 2024 Rocket season.

All Spring sites will be open to public viewing of launches. However, if you plan to attend any of these launches, please register for your attendance ticket ahead of time. You must also agree to the waiver acknowledging that you are entering a test site on an unimproved ranchland, launching area with student designed and built, previously untested, experimental rockets.

The sites will be open for admittance to the general public at 8:00 a.m. and launches will commence as soon as the first rockets complete all Stages and are cleared for launch.  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. Admission is free, but the look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered, is far from priceless.

Stage 1 and Stage 2 check stations will start admitting students and teachers at 6:00 a.m.

Stay tuned for more updates as events get closer. More changes may be announced as plans and arrangements are completely finalized. Rockets will #RideTheSkies in just under two weeks.  Welcome back to the SystemsGo Rocket Trail, we will see you at lift off!

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 supremely enhanced.

Hope to see you at the launches!

#RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2024 #SystemsGoRoocketTrail #TXNMRockets2024