Tag: Rockets 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Schools participating this weekend are were: Brazoswood HS, Friendswood HS, Hargrave HS, Summer Creek HS, Kingwood Park HS, Anahuac HS, Hardin-Jefferson HS,  Harleton HS, Dobie HS, and Ball HS.
  • A recording of the live feed for each launch in the spring series is still available for viewing online at Youtube at SGSocial.
  • Thank you for joining us for launch season, and for supporting the schools and youth that participate in the SystemsGo curriculum. Most of the team members that travel with SystemsGo are volunteer based. We support them to ensure the program continues. We have all seen first hand the impact this STEM education program has had on family members and community member students, and the futures it has afforded those who participated in it and went on to college and beyond, applying what they learned.

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

Pictures are from today are on SystemsGo Facebook page, as well as my Facebook page. They can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/SystemsGoEducation/

https://www.facebook.com/ginger.burow

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

Hope you enjoyed this year’s launches! See you again next spring!

#RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2026  #EyesToTheSkies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There is  possible  tomorrow morning. Hopefully it will clear by mid morning so that we do not have to delay and go into contingency on Sunday.

Pictures from the above-mentioned events, and rockets as well as progress at the site to this point are on SystemsGo Facebook page, as well as my Facebook page. They can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/SystemsGoNews

https://www.facebook.com/ginger.burow

Festivities should be complete with all launches having been accomplished tomorrow, Saturday.

Restrooms and wash stations will be provided at the launch site. Spectators are welcomed this year. Teachers are asked to bring pop-up tents for themselves and their students. Please remember sunscreen, chairs, umbrellas, extra snacks, drinks, and food. Downtime entertainment for the students to engage in between launches may also be helpful.

The look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered is priceless. If they know you are watching and supporting them, then it is even more memorable. If you are not on site, then shoot them a text, letting them know you are watching online.

The Southeast Texas/Smith Point launch date begins Friday. Livestream links and schools are also listed here for your convenience.

Southeast Texas Launches

  • Launch & All Stages: 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
    South of Anahuac, near Smith Point, Texas
  • Southeast Texas
  • SETX Check In / Stage 1 and 2
  • SETX Mission Control / Launch Site
  • Saturday, May 9, 2026
  • 2 Schools participating Saturday at Smith Point
  • 12 expected rockets for testing.
  • Plus the 14 left from today.
  • Watch the Livestream here: Rockets 2026 Live Stream
  • The sites will be open to admittance for students and teachers only at 6:00 a.m. Projected start time for launches is between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. All is contingent on test vehicle readiness and ability to pass Stages 1 and 2. Mission Control will be ready for Stage 3 checks by 8:00 a.m.
  • New for this year, a recovery map link will be available for the schools to see pictures uploaded by recovery teams showing where and how their rockets were recovered. 2026 Recovered Rockets Data
  • Here is what SystemsGo requires for your attendance:
    1. Any member of the public wishing to attend a launch is required to register online and agree toLaunch Day Entry Form / Waiver
      Scan or Click Jotform Waiver QR Code
    2. There is no charge, but proof of registration is required before entering the site. You will be issued arm bands as proof and you must have them on at all times.

More details will be available here each day. Reports featuring schedule links, school names, results, pictures, and editorial content will be posted during the events if information is available.

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

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

Hope you enjoyed this year’s launches!

#RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2026  #EyesToTheSkies

Rockets 2026, Saturday, May 2, Central Texas/Stonewall Final Day Launch Report

Rockets 2026, Central Texas/Stonewall Edition, continued today. The original schedule listed 15 rockets for today tested by four schools. 25 rockets were hold overs from Thursday’s and Friday’s weather delays, so that upped our total for the day to 40. We were able to accomplish this so no contingency day tomorrow,

The team and volunteers started at 7:30 this morning and the pad was loaded and began launching at 7:47. The flow of rockets to the rails continued steadily throughout the day with the final rocket off the rail by 7:45 this evening. We had clear blue skies and a nice breeze all day which meant no weather delays. And the temperatures started in the 50’s and ended at 69.

At the end of launches today we had one rocket from Hardin-Jefferson that after 4 times on the rail and multiple different repairs, still had a vent issue and refused to fill properly. So Coach Fogo decided to field test it and then load it up and take it back to Anahuac to launch next weekent at Smith Point.

After the completion of this weekend’s launches 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. Those launches begin Thursday, May 7.

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

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. Watch the Livestream here: Rockets 2026 Live Stream

New for this year, a recovery map link will be available for the schools to see pictures uploaded by recovery teams showing where and how their rockets were recovered. 2026 Recovered Rockets Data

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 #Rockets2026 #EyesToTheSkies #EyestotheSkies!

Wednesday’s Pre-Launch Report for Rockets 2026 Contiuning at the Central Texas/Stonewall, Tomorrow, Thursday, April 30-Saturday, May 2, 2026

The Central Texas Launches sail into the skies over Stonewall, Texas starting tomorrow, April 30, 2026. This is the third in the series for the Rockets 2026 and the second in the Texas Rocket Trail lineup. This is our seventh year in Stonewall for the CTX Rockets launch.

The SystemsGo Team spent several days early this week setting up the launch site at the Sammy Segner Ranch on the Double Horn Road. This included construction of the Pad and Mission Control and testing of the rails. Stage 3 inside MC, Media, and Communications were also part of this set up.

Class A Event Rentals arrived to set up tents for Mission Control, Media and spectators. Duane Neffendorf again provided portable restrooms and wash stations to the site. Later LCRA, Bee Creek Communications and Starlink provide support for IT,  Internet WiFi and Radio communications.

Stages 1 and 2 rocket check in stations were also established at the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce building. Student Team tables were numbered for evaluations and last-minute corrections to the vehicles.

The Stonewall site covers the Fredericksburg and Hill Country area schools. Some of our North and South Texas schools still participate here,  in leu of our NTX and SETX sites. Our two out of state schools, Canon City from Colorado, and Mustang from Oklahoma also elected to test here. This year our over seas school, the American Community Schools Abu Dhahi, will also launch at Stonewall, in previous years they participated in the SETX launch at Smith  Point.

Currently there are 57 rockets scheduled for launch by 16 schools at the Stonewall location for Rockets 2026. This schedule may be updated this week with the possibility of schools adding or dropping close to launch time. 

Spectators are welcomed again this year. Teachers are encouraged 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 FHS “Grub Uber Alles” Culinary Arts Trailer will set up shop and provide concessions for the weekend. The pics below are from the last time they graced the event with their food, so this menu and pricing may not be exact. Tomorrow I will update it as needed. 

Paige Findly will be handling media and live stream for the CTX Rockets event. With changes in staff happening this season, he has been instrumental in helping Rebekah and myself get media and the livestream up and running. He is testing out his equipment at this weekend’s launch event. 

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

Central Texas/Stonewall:

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.

Rockets are subject to winds, weather, and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch. Unfortunately the weather for the weekend is less than ideal with rain and thunderstorm predicted Friday and Saturday. This being said, be prepared for the possibilities of delays. But with any luck maybe the rain will hold off until the overnight hours so launching can stay on track for the daytime.

Please either join in the action on site or help cheer the students on while watching the  Livestream. 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, or participate in the chat on YouTube Livestream page. 

A live feed for each launch will be provided here:

Rockets 2026 Live Stream

The link is available at www.systemsgo.org on the home page.

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

Pictures from each day 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

 

Central Texas/Stonewall:

  • Thursday, April 30- Saturday, May 2, Weather Contingency Day-Sunday, May 3
  • 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 Map Links:
    CTX Check In / Stage 1 and 2
    CTX Mission Control / Launch Site

 

  • Central Texas-Stonewall 2026 Flight Schedule for Thursday, April 30, 2026

  • Schools participating: Fredericksburg HS, Union Grove, Roosevelt HS, Canyon City HS, Fabens HS, and Johnson HS
  • 20 expected rockets for testing

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 Launch Day Entry Form / Waiver
    Scan or Click
    Jotform Waiver QR Code

    There is no charge, but proof of registration is required before entering the site. You will be issued arm bands as proof and you must have them on at all times.

  2. All information can be found https://www.systemsgo.org listed under each individual venue.

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

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.

I hope you are as super excited about this year’s CTX launches as I am! Let’s pray the weather cooperates and we get to see a steady stream of rockets screaming into the sky. 

Hope to see you at the launches!

#RideTheSkies #TexasRocketTrail #Rockets2026 #EyesOnThe Skies #EyesToTheSkies

Mission Complete At WSMR Today, Saturday, For Rockets 2025 Season

Alamo Heights, Brazoswood and Union Grove tested rockets at White Sands Missile Range today.  WSMR had SystemsGo on a tight schedule again this year. It meant that two rockets had to be loaded on the rails before we left the range yesterday on set up day. The third had to be ready to swap out as soon as the first two were tested.

We had an 8:00 a.m. slot for the first T-time. Range time began at 6:30 a.m. The team was wheels rolling at 5:00 a.m. The school were dropped off at Tula G along the way, where they watched the launches on live feed. The SystemsGo team arrived at ABC-1 at 6:30 a.m.

Union Grove was fueled and ready for launch at 8:20 a.m.The rail and fuel teams evac’d 5 miles out on the range to watch the launch from the road. Rebekah, Randy and George readied the rocket for fire and  evac’d to the “bell” (tiny metal launch bunker) and coordinated with WSMR for count down and launch.

Union Grove’s rocket tested at 8:30 a.m. right on schedule to start the day. Unfortunately they had an internal ignition wire that pulled lose and resulted in a misfire.

Alamo Heights was on the second rail. It was fueled and ready by 10:28 a.m. The same evac process for the Team was followed. The rocket left the rail and traveled a couple thousand feet before beginning to spiral, banking back toward the bell and nose diving into the ground about 150 yards from the bell. The boom of impact was loud even 5 miles out. Rebekah and George said it make the ground shake. Wsmr used a backhoe to dig out what the coil and return it to the students. The engine casing was still mostly intact, but there was only a tiny piece of the nose one, and the rest was just chunks of twisted metal. It was pretty amazing to see.

Brazoswood students were brought in from Tula G to load thier rocket on the first rail and take team pictures. Then they were escorted back to Tula G to await their launch and watch. SystemsGo team worked quickly to get everything connected and the rocket fueled to meet an 12:30 p.m. T-time to test.

At 12:30 Brazoswood was fueled and ready  for their launch. Unfortunately before countdown ever commenced the vehicle had an internal failure that resulted in the nitrous blowing out the aft end of the rocket. This ended any further chance of the vehicle testing.

As soon as WSMR determined the pad was again safe, they called for the SG team and schools to return to the site for tear down. We had the entire site packed up by 2:48 p.m.

Rebekah and George spoke to the students about perseverance and that this was a great accomplishment even if their rocket failed. Last but never least she thanked all the WSMR personnel for all their hard work and support again this year and promised them cool new swag that was still coming in the mail.

When presentations were complete, all of the SystemsGo team took photos in front of the old resident tank, fascilitated by Chris, our WSMR Doc Photo. Then Mission was called complete and it was wheels rolling off the range at 3:30 p.m.

The SystemsGo team capped off the evening with dinner at Johnny Carino’s Italian Restaurant and then called it a day.

 One quick side note, we did see two Oryx this year on our way in to the range this morning. Both stood there curiously watching us and posing as they knew we couldn’t even take his picture.

Tomorrow will be a good breakfast at 6:00 a.m. at Denny’s for some or the hotel for the sleep ins and then on the road back to Texas by 7:00 a.m.

WSMR concludes another successful year of launches that begain with Jal, NM, Jacksoboro, Anahuac/Smith Point , and Willow City. The group helped test 159 Tchaikovsky,  Oberth and Von Braun rockets and 3 Goddard level rockets for the Rockets 2025 season.

Now the volunteer staff returns to their daily lives and the SystemsGo team transitions into program updates, new teacher training begins with more schools, teachers, students and rockets. It won’t be long and “launch season” will be back again with Rockets 2026. Next year’s season will begin again with spring launches in Jal, New Mexico,  NTX-Jacksboro, SETX-Anahua/Smith Point, CTX-Stonewall, and White Sands Missile Range. It should prove to be another exciting year.

Watch for Spring dates to be announced in late fall, so you can begin planning to watch. Until then, keep your Eyes To The Sky! See you next year!

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.

#Rockets2025 #TexasRocketTrail #EyesonTheSkies #Ridetheskies #ItisRocketScience #EyesToTheSky!

Rockets 2025, Friday, Site Set Up Complete and Rockets on the Rail

A 6:15 a.m. call to move out for ABC-1 started the day for all SystemsGo team and schools. The mission, to accomplish all preparations for tomorrow’s launches. All personnel arrived at thegare at 6:30 a.m. and did ID checks and then waited out a mission that was in progress on the range. At 7:47 a.m we left the gate headed out the range. We arrived around 8:15 a.m. and quickly began preparations.

Randy Kuhlmann and Ginger Burow set up the electronics trailer and the fill and fire system. Steve Burow set up the pad, rails and wiring for the launch rails. Students from the teams helped erect the rails before finishing work on their vehicles.

Rebekah Hyatt and Andrew Matthes coordinated all the final checks for each of the rockets, while all the students worked through their Flight Readiness Reviews.

For the fourth year, Texas A&M college students from Hamilton, Caleb Lengefeld, Kash Kneuper, along with recent Hamilton graduates, Cate Hooper volunteered to help on range again. We also had recent grads from Fredericksburg, Gus Wagner, Jack Pedragon, Reece Harris, Wyatt Westbrook, and Will Bryla. Additionally we gained three young man from Anahuac/Hardin Jefferson’s current launch team, Ben Riddle, Christian Gillikan, and Brayden McShan.

They all helped set up the pad, the rails, and load the gas tank truck. For launches tomorrow they will again assist as needed at the pad and help Andrew with the Nitrous and Gox bottles. All have said they were really enjoying seeing the program in action and helping with it. Caleb and Kash are veterans, but all of the new crew members have jumped in fully and helped things run smoothly and quickly today. They have also expressed interest in returning in subsequent years to help.

Schools Participating were Alamo Heights, Union Grove, Anahuac/Hardin Jefferson, and Brazoswood. Alamo Heights and Union Grove were fit with charges and loaded onto the rails for launch tomorrow morning. Brazoswood will load the rail tomorrow as the third launch. They have been ready and waiting today. Unfortunately, Anahuac/Hardin Jefferson developed a leak during FRR and pressure checks today that could not be contained so that had to scrub their launch for tomorrow. They will be coming out to watch the launches from Tula G with the other schools.

A line of showers popped up just northwest of Alamogordo around 7:30 p.m. this evening and made for a nice lightening show before dissapating before reaching us here at the hotel.

Our crew stuck to our tight schedule today and our caravan of vehicles plus WSMR personnel vehicles left the test site by 3:30 headed in for the evening. Food and showers were top priorities upon returning to the hotels.We all headed to Applebee’s for dinner at 6:00 and were there until almost 8:00. Steve and I went to Walmart again after dinner for a few more provisions.

Launch order for Saturday is as follows:

  • Union Grove
  • Alamo Heights
  • Brazoswood

Saturday’s schedule is the following:

  • Saturday, June 25th
    1. Launch Day – All three Rockets
    2. Depart for WSMR by 5:00 a.m. for 5:30 a.m. arrival at the Tula Gate and 6:30 a.m. on site.
    3. Projected launch schedule:
      • T1 8:00 am. -Union Grove
      • T2 10:00 am. – Alamo Heights
      • T3 1:00 pm. -Brazoswood
  • 4:00 pm. – Range Time Ends

SystemsGo now has two launch rails and both will be in operation tomorrow. A rocket will be loaded onto each rail and then tested in sequence with only time out for safety. The launch team will be required to evacuate during each launch; and then return to swap out gas and electrical connections between the rails.

Launches are to commence at 8:00 am. Saturday morning. All SystemsGo personnel and schools will be headed out to the range at 5:00 am.

After the first two launches, WSMR personnel will attempt to locate and retrieve the rockets for the students while the other rocket is loaded onto the rails. Mission complete will be at 4:00 pm. and all personnel must leave the range. If all three launch on time then everyone will be asked to help tear down and pack up equipment before leaving.

WSMR personnell have a Military Ball tomorrow evening so all missions must be complete early so that they can attend.

Realistically, this is a very tight launch sequence with little to no room for errors. As we know, errors can and do occasionally happen and can cause severe delays in the launch schedule and hinder time availability.

Best of luck to all schools so that they may have a successful launch tomorrow.

Event details will continue to be available here. I will provide information each day as to how the schedule and other event details went for that day and how launches transpired. Pictures are not allowed on the range, so very few will be available. If anything is available I will post it for your viewing pleasure. Tomorrow should wrap up our launches for t his year.

If we are lucky and things go perfect and we leave the range early their may be dune sledding in tomorrow evening’s future. And Sunday we will all be heading home.

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.

#Rockets2025 #SystemsGo #RideTheSky #Texasrockettrail #WSMRRocketLaunch2025 #EyesOnThe Sky #EyesToTheSkies

2025 SystemsGo Rocket Launch Event Preparations for White Sands Missile Range – Thursday

The SystemsGo team left Fredericksburg in two shifts, one at 7:00 a.m. and the second at 8:45 a.m. this morning headed to Alamogordo, New Merxico for lodging for White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) rocket launches. Schools from Union Grove, Alamo Heights, Brazoswood, and Anahuac/Hardin Jefferson also traveled to Alamogordo today to meet and begin preparations for launches this Saturday

The early crew, Rebekah Hyatt and George Burns set up in the parking lot of the Quality Inn and Suites to preform pressure and FRR checks for Union Grove and Anahuac Thursday afternoon .

Alamo Heights did their pressure test and FRR on Wednesday, but the pressure test will be redone at WSMR for safety. All schools will repeat these checks and tests on site tomorrow to ensure nothing has rattled lose in transit.

Steve, Ginger, Caleb, Cash and two new Hamilton recruits, Tyler and Cate, arrived in Alamogordo at 5:40 p.m. Andrew Matthis followed us in and brought four Fredericksburg recruits, Gus, Jack, Reece, and Will.

As soon as we arrived everyone settled into their rooms, we all took off on foot to Chili’s for dinner. There was good food, visiting and comraderie to start the weekend. After dinner Steve and Ginger took the van to Wal-Mart for provisions for on the range the next two days.

Portable restrooms are available at the site. Limited electricity is available. Each school is responsible for acquiring food and drinks for their group for all meals and snacks each day.

All documentation was completed online this year and/or turned in to Rebekah Hyatt. However having your hard copies with you is requested.

  • UXO, Wildlife, and Driving in WSMR briefing registry
  • WSMR waiver
  • SystemsGo waiver
  • Medical Release Forms

Be prepared to show ID’s at the security check at the gate in the morning.

There are four schools scheduled to launch four rockets. These include:

  • Union Gove
  • Brazoswood
  • Anahuac/Hardin Jefferson
  • Alamo Heights

The current launch schedule is as follows:

  • Friday, June 13th
    1. Depart for site from hotel by 6:10 a.m.
    2. Meet at Tula Gate for Security Checks at 6:45 a.m.
    3. Alamo Heights, Union Grove and Anahuac will be in our caravan from the hotel. Brazoswood will meet us enroute to the Tula Gate.
    4. Travel to ABC-1 at 7:00-7:20 a.m.
    5. Site Set up at ABC-1 upon arrival.
    6. Complete all rocket checks.
    7. 4:00 p.m. Leave the site with Union Grove and Brazoswood on the rails and Alamo Heights and Anahuac completed and ready to load the rail.
  • Saturday, June 14th
  • Launch Day – Four Rockets
  • Depart from Hotel by 4:50 a.m. for 5:30 a.m. arrival at Tula Gate for Security checks.
  • Depart Gate to ABC-1 6:00 a.m.
  • Projected launch schedule:
    • T1 8:00 a.m. – Union Grove
    • T2 10:00 a.m. – Brazoswood
    • T3 1:00 p.m – Anahuac/Hardin Jefferson
    • T4 3:00 p.m. – Alamo Heights
    • All rockets launched by 3:00 p.m.
    • Break for Lunch as each team has time.
    • Pack up site.
    • Range Time Ends – 4:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 25th
  • Travel Day/Contingency Day/Cleanup/Fun Day (To be determined.)
  • Monday, June 26th
  • Travel Day only if needed. Hopefully we are already home Mission Complete.

The Goddard level rockets, which are the capstones of the SystemsGo program and the culmination of all the skills the students have learned throughout their years in the STEM program. This marks the final senior project for the schools that participate in for the SystemsGo program.

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.

#Rockets2025 #SystemsGo #Launcher01 #RideTheSky #Texasrockettrail #EyesOnTheSky #TexasToNewMexicoRocketTrail #RideTheSky2025 #EyeToTheSkies

SystemsGo Rockets 2025 at White Sands Missile Range This Weekend

White Sands Missile Range is once again hosting the SystemsGo Rocket Program for its season end launches. This year four schools will be traveling to New Mexico to test their rockets at White Sands Missile Range, they include:

Alamo Heights HS

Brazoswood HS

Union Grove HS

Anahuac/Hardin Jefferson HS

June 13th through June 15th are the dates for this year’s WSMR launch.  The SystemsGo team and schools will be traveling to Alamogordo, New Mexico for lodging on June 12th. Early on the 13th, preparations at the site will be made with the goal of launching all four rockets Saturday.  The 15th, Sunday, is our contingency day, but the hope is that it will not be needed. Sunday is Father’s Day and WSMR personnel would prefer not to work and we would love to be on the road home.

ABC1 is our scheduled range again this year. ABC-1 does not have a large bunker, so only essential launch personnel stay on site, and the SG staff evacuate out five miles for launches. Students and teachers are taken to a secure location known as Tula G, which is further down range where they watch the launches on screen inside a designated facility. Due to this no extra personnel are permitted to attend these launches. All those in attendance please remember to have your state issued ID on your person at all times. WSMR will be checking them.

There will be tents on the range, the same as last year. Rockets need to be complete by the end of the day on Friday. FRR will be conducted on the 11th an 12th. Pressure checks will be retested on site the 13th to be sure the trip out to range has not compromised anything.

At this time I do not have exact information on schedules on range for Friday or Saturday. Hopefully I will be able to provide that in Thursday’s update edition.

If Mission is Complete on Saturday evening, then evening activities may include some White Sands National Park dune sledding.

SystemsGo team members will be residing at the Quality Inn and Suites in Alamogordo this year.

The Goddard level rockets, which are the capstones of the SystemsGo program and the culmination of all the skills the students have learned throughout their years in the STEM program. This marks the final senior project for the schools that participate in for the SystemsGo program.

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.

#Rockets2025 #SystemsGo #Launcher01 #RideTheSky #Texasrockettrail #EyesOnTheSkies #TexasToNewMexicoRocketTrail #RideTheSky2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you for joining us for launch season, and for supporting the schools and youth that participate in the SystemsGo curriculum. Most of the team members that travel with SystemsGo are volunteer based. We support them to ensure the program continues. We have all seen first hand the impact this STEM education program has had on family members and community member students, and the futures it has afforded those who participated in it and went on to college and beyond, applying what they learned.

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

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

Hope you enjoyed this year’s launches! See you again next spring!

#RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2025 #EyesontheSkies #EyesToTheSkies

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

Friday marked the beginning  of the last leg of the Texas Rocket Trail for Rockets 2025, and the first day of launches in Smith Point. Luckily, we had good weather for testing today, unlike last weekend in Central Texas.

The original schedule listed 24 rockets for testing, and we managed 21. One aborted, and two will launch tomottow. Recovery had a good day and brought back about 95% of the   rockets launched. We had 5 teams so the area was well covered, and  there were several that the pad collected due to the close proximity of their landing.

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

The Pad had a great day with a fairly steady stream of launches, and a lot of good help. Returning alumni, Austin Hodges from Anahuac, now recently medically released Navy lent a hand. Brandon from Lockhead was there for now his third launch this year as well.

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

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

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

Tommorrow, Saturday, May 10, boasts another 18 rockets. There is  possible rain midday tomorrow. Hopefully it will hold out until after launches so that we do not have to delay and go into contingency on Sunday.

Pictures from the above-mentioned events, and rockets as well as progress at the site to this point are on SystemsGo Facebook page, as well as my Facebook page. They can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/SystemsGoNews

https://www.facebook.com/ginger.burow

Festivities continue with launches resuming tomorrow, Saturday.

Restrooms and wash stations will be provided at the launch site. Spectators are welcomed this year. Teachers are asked to bring pop-up tents for themselves and their students. Please remember sunscreen, chairs, umbrellas, extra snacks, drinks, and food. Downtime entertainment for the students to engage in between launches may also be helpful.

The look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered is priceless. If they know you are watching and supporting them, then it is even more memorable. If you are not on site, then shoot them a text, letting them know you are watching online.

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

Southeast Texas Launches

  • Saturday, May 10, 2025
  • 6 are Schools participating Friday at Smith Point
  • 18 expected rockets for testing on Friday.
  • A Livestream for each launch will be provided and will be available at www.systemsgo.org/events as each launch date arrives. Friday’s is as follows:
  • Streaming Link May 10 SETX
  • The sites will be open to admittance for students and teachers only at 6:00 a.m. Projected start time for launches is between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. All is contingent on test vehicle readiness and ability to pass Stages 1 and 2. Mission Control will be ready for Stage 3 checks by 8:00 a.m.

More details will be available here each day. Reports featuring schedule links, school names, results, pictures, and editorial content will be posted during the events if information is available.

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

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

Hope you enjoyed this year’s launches!

#RideTheSkies #texasrockettrail #Rockets2025 #EyesontheSkies #EyesToTheSkies