Tag: Summer Creek High School

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 Southeast Texas/Smith Point Wednesday, May 6, Setup Recap and Thursday, May 7, Launch Day 1 Pregame

Southeast Texas Rockets started off Tuesday and Wednesday with travel and set up days in Smith Point. The team headed to Smith Point Tuesday and spent that evening and Wednesday morning setting up all stages and the pad. They had a strange anomally this year, as they completed everything that could be done before the last morning done by noon on Wednesday. They even got to come back to the Oyster Bayou Hunting Club where we stay these days, and have lunch and a nap.

That probably explains why Steve and I had just the opposite as we tried to get there today. We took the dog to daycare and loaded up his truck and proceeded to park vehicles in safe places only to discover that the truck had a serious antifreeze leak. At that point we pulled the four runner back out, loaded everything from the truck into it and started again. What was supposed to be 8:30 or 9:00 became 10:00. And with that came the front and a wicked storm. Luckily we skirted it as we drove, but some reports from Willow City, Sandy and Stonewall showed anywhere from pea to softball size hail, not a good thing.

After one rain out day in Central Texas that resulted in no launches on Friday and having to double up on what turned out to be a fabulous day of launching on Saturday with 39 rockets tested, we are hoping for no rain delays for this weekend. Rain is predicted for this weekend, so  delays are a strong possibility, but we are keeping a hopeful outlook on blue skies and rockets sailing high on all three days. And unfortunately mosquitoes are  a strong possibility as well.  So if you are coming to SETX Rockets 2026 bring your spray! Luckily a nice breeze will keep them at bay, so let’s hope we have that all over the launch site,  and not just at Trinity bay.

Kirk Moore and his crew were able to set up tents and mark the pad on Monday. SystemsGo Team members began arriving Tuesday and finishing set up for Stage 1, 2, 3, Mission Control and the Pad and do pad tests. Joyce Abby will again join us to be the “voice of rockets.” Honestly I can’t imagine rockets without her and her wealth of rocket history and knowledge.

The team is once again staying in Anahuac at Oyster Bayou Hunting Club.  It is much closer our launch site in Smith Point. It has a great rooms, nice owners, Gene Campbell and his wife, who even provide food, and a very cozy feel.

The team finished early at the site so they spent the evening at the club playing 42, having drinks, and eating red pork tacos, with home made chips and salso for dinner, all supplied by the owner, and cooked by their wonderful cook,  Amanda. This is indeed a wonderful treat for all of us. Usually it is a late night dinner where ever we can find open when we finish at the range.

The original schedule listed 12 schools and 50 rockets slated for testing this weekend in Smith Point.

Twenty-one rockets are scheduled for Thursday, 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.

Concessions are provided again this year. We have a new vendor from New Beginning’s Restaurant in Anahuac. Below is there menu for the weekend.

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 Thursday. Livestream links and schools are also listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org

Southeast Texas/Smith Point Launches, Thursday, May 7 – Saturday, May 9

  • Thursday, May 7, 2026
  • 6  are Schools participating Thursday at Smith Point
  • 21 expected rockets for testing on Friday.
    • Launch Site & All Stages: 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
      South of Anahuac, near Smith Point, Texas
    • Southeast Texas Map Links
      SETX Check In / Stage 1 and 2
      SETX Mission Control / Launch Site
    • Schools participating:  Hardin-Jefferson HS, Harleton HS, North Shore HS, Anahuac HS,  Brazoswood HS,  Kingwood Park HS, Hargrave HS, Ball HS, Friendswood HS, Dobie HS and Summer Creek HS
    • 50 expected rockets for testing
    • 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

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.

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 toLaunch 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.

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

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!

#RideTheSkies #TexasRocketTrail #Rockets2026 #EyesToTheSkies

Rockets 2023 Southeast Texas/Smith Point Launches This Thursday

The 2023 Texas Rocket Trail season is on it’s last leg of the junior series launches with the Southeast Texas/Smith Point testing site. Currently 38 vehicles are scheduled for testing by 12 schools at this site. Testing begins this week, May 11-12, with a weather contingency day to be used only if needed on May 13.

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 11 – Saturday, May 8
  • Launch & All Stages: 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
    South of Anahuac, near Smith Point, Texas
  • Schools participating: Gary HS, Hardin-Jefferson HS, Hargrave HS, North Shore HS,  Anahuac HS, Booker T Washington HS, Brazoswood HS, Kingwood Park HS, Milby HS,  Summer Creek HS, Odyssey HS, Friendswood HS
  • 38 expected rockets for testing
  • A Livestream for each launch is provided and available at www.systemsgo.org/events

The sites will be open to admittance for students and teachers only at 6:00 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. First launch as soon as we have some cleared to the pad.

Restrooms and wash stations will be provided at the launch site. Concessions will be provided on site. 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.

Locals report that mosquito spray is a MUST.

Spectators are asked to register online for a ticket and sign a waiver before entering the event site. The registration link can be found on the Events page at SystemsGo.org .

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

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

Or the SystemsGo Facebook page at:

SystemsGo Facebook page,

Please watch the SystemsGo website, Facebook page,  Twitter feed: 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 #Rockets2023 #EyesontheSkies #gettothepoint

Rockets 2023 Central Texas/Stonewall Launches ended today, Saturday, May 6, 2023

Rockets 2023, Central Texas Edition, ended today. The original schedule listed 15 rockets for today. Petrolia HS had two rockets that moved from the launch in North Texas last weekend to this one, and Fredericksburg HS relaunched an earlier rocket that had been unsatisfactory, so that brought totals to 18 for the day.

Launching began a 11:41a.m. and ended at 5:35. The team packed up the site afterwards and finally headed for home around 8:00 p.m. Launches went well albeit a little slow clearing through to the rails.

The Alamo Heights Media students were helping Phil Houseal with interviewing, livestream and general media coverage today. They interviewed Steve, Layla, and I to find out about the roles of the recovery teams.

It has been a long, fun, but tiring weekend. Everyone was ready for some much needed R and R.

This completed the Central Texas launches. Next week the team moves to Southeast Texas to launch from Smith Point near Anahuac, Texas. Currently 38 rockets are scheduled for testing on Thursday and Friday at that site. It will be the last leg of the spring launches for Rockets 2023.

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

More details will be available here each day for next week’s event. 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!

#RideTheSkies #TexasRocketTrail #Rockets2023 #EyesToTheSkies

Rockets 2022 Central Texas/Stonewall Launches continued today, Friday, May 13, 2022

Rockets 2022, Central Texas Edition, continued today, Friday the 13th! The original schedule listed 18 rockets for today. Two schools, Victoria East, and New Tech Odessa, checked in minus their projected numbers, so that brought the launch schedule down to 15.

Rockets were slow through Stage 1 and 2, and then the first few up had some minor issues on the pad that put them back in Stage 3 for repairs. All these factors meant that start time for the first launches moved back considerably. It was closer to noon before the first vehicles left the pad for the skies.

Once launches started, the schedule was accomplished in three volleys plus one single launch. It was a slow starting, but productive day. Tomorrow only has six rockets on the schedule. That does not mean it will be a short day. That is the hope, but it always remains to be seen. Test vehicles like these quite often push the time schedules, it could be a short day or a long one. The team is hoping to call it complete early. After tomorrow, the Texas Rocket Trail will be at an end for another season.

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 14, 2022
  • 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 2022 Flight Schedule for Saturday
  • Schools participating: Fabens HS, Fredericksburg HS, Johnson HS, Hamilton HS, Kingwood HS, Marble Falls HS, Gary HS, Roosevelt HS, Georgetown HS, Atascocita HS, Pasadena Memorial HS, Hamilton HS, Victoria East HS, Harleton HS, London HS, New Tech Odessa HS, Alamo Heights HS
  • 6 expected rockets 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 8:00 a.m. All is contingent on test vehicle readiness and ability to pass Stages 1 and 2. Mission Control will be ready for Stage 3 checks by 8:00 a.m.

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! #RideTheSkies #TexasRocketTrail #Rockets2022

Rockets 2022 Southeast Texas/Smith Point Launches Start Tomorrow, Thursday,

The 2022 Texas Rocket Trail continues its series of junior launches with the Southeast Texas/Smith Point testing site. Currently 31 vehicles are scheduled for testing by 13 schools at this site. Testing begins this week, May 5th and 6th  with a weather contingency day to be used only if needed on May 7th.

SystemsGo team and volunteer crews have been hard at work earlier this week preparing the site. Kirk Moore heads up a vast group of individuals that make sure all parts of the operation are ready for launches.

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 5 – Friday, May 6
  • Launch & All Stages: 19350 FM 562, Anahuac, TX 77514
    South of Anahuac, near Smith Point, Texas
  • Southeast Texas-Smith Point 2022 Flight Schedule
  • Schools participating: North Shore HS, Hardin-Jefferson HS, Hargrave HS, Northstar HS,  Anahuac HS, Booker T Washington HS, Friendswood HS, Harleton HS, Brazoswood HS, Kingwood Park HS,  Channelview HS,  Summer Creek HS
  • 31 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 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.

Restrooms and wash stations will be provided at the launch site. Concessions and a  spectator tent will be available available again 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 2022. Central Texas/Stonewall will be launching May 12-14.

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.

Please watch the SystemsGo website, SystemsGo Facebook page, and SystemsGo Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/SystemsGoNews  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 #TexasRocketTrail

May 2, 2022, Rockets 2022 Continues Today in Colorado!!!

The Rockets 2022 season transitioned to Colorado today. This is a brand new launch venue for SystemsGo. Canon City HS joined the SystemsGo program in 2021 and came to Stonewall for their first launch that same year.  They had one Tsiolkovsky level rocket.

The featured picture for this article is the class from this high school from last year’s launch.

The current roster for this new venue still only boasts Canon City with four rockets this year. Two Tsiolkovsky and two Oberth.

They are opening this launch to other Colorado schools to come and view the program up close. Hopefully this will add numbers in both schools and rockets  for future participation allowing the program to grow in the Colorado area.

This new launch site is at the U.S. Army Fort Carson Colorado, Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. It is a one day launch, today, Monday, May 2, 2022.

The site is open to public viewing of the launches.  Unfortunately this launch will not have live streaming.

All  launch information is listed at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .

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

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 #Rockets2022 #EyesontheSkies #SystemsGoRocketTrail

April 29, 2022, Rockets 2022 North Texas/Jacksboro Friday Launch

Friday, Day 2, and the final day for North Texas Rockets 2022 launch series was mission complete by 3:54 this afternoon, with all rockets launched. 18 rockets from five different schools left the rails today. These schools included Buinger HS, Petrolia HS, University HS, Birdville HS, and RL Turner HS.

Recovery dropped from three teams to two today, but they still managed to recovery 15 of today’s 19 launches. Team 2 also picked up Rocket # 52 from Thursday’s launches. Only five of the weekend’s 41 test vehicles were not recovered. Rocket #62 left the rail twice with it’s first test ending just past the rail. Students retrieved it still whole and intact and repaired it for a second test, at which point flew quite well and landed several pastures to the NE where it was recovered.

Weather for Friday was partly cloudy in the morning and mostly clear by afternoon with highs in the 80’s looks good. High winds still kept most of the rockets flying to the northern end of the range with many landing right around Team 2 again. 

First launches blasted off about 10:30 this morning. This was considerably earlier than on Thursday. That might be a group record, 19 rockets in just under 5.5 hours. 

Today’s Livestream link will open for a few days to view if you did not catch it live. You can find that link at SystemsGo on the Events page. Phil had interviews with dignitaries from a school in Abu Dhabi who are considering bring the SystemsGo program to their school in the United Arab Emirates. Representatives from a group in Jacksboro, called, Back to Space, were on site today as well. They are building and immersive destination experience designed to help further interest in space and the moon, called The Lunar Landscape Experience. To find out what it is all about, go to their website at backtospace.com .

Afterward launch complete the SystemsGo team and volunteers dismantled the site, sending bunkers and other equipment to storage for next year’s launch season, loading necessary items to leave for Colorado tomorrow for their launch at Pinon Canyon, and ending the rest of the group back to Fredericksburg.

Following the Colorado launch, the team will be heading to launch in Smith Point for the SETX Rockets. The following week they will all return for the Central Texas launches in Stonewall.

After a two year hiatus due to COVID, Captain Gene Garrett and wife Beth, were in from their new home in North Carolina. They joined the team for the NTX rocket launch and then will also help at the SETX launches before heading back East again. It was sure nice to have them here again.

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 2022 series, and is followed by launches in Pinon Canyon, CO, Southeast Texas/Smith Point, and Central Texas/Stonewall. The rest of the schedule is as follows:

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

 

 

 

April 28, 2022, Thursday, Opening Day of Rockets 2022 in North Texas

Rockets 2022 opened today at the North Texas launch site in Jack county. Four schools were slated to test a total of 21 rockets, originally, but ended the day with 22 rockets launched. Carroll HS aborted one and Henrietta HS brought their two today instead of tomorrow, creating the difference in the schedule.

It was a long day, as intermissions were also long with a lot of down time early on. The first launch was at 1:15 instead of 9:00 as projected. Morning launch start times are generally hopeful estimates, contingent on clearances from Stage 1 and 2. Today the cloud ceiling kept launches at bay as well. The day ran long with the final launches completing just within our allowed window of daylight.

Temperatures climbed slowly from 60s to 80s with strong, winds. Light jackets were comfortable until mid afternoon and then were quickly discarded. By late afternoon it was full sun with only spotty clouds, a total difference from the heavy cloud ceiling of the morning.

Recovery had a good day with 20 out of 22 vehicles recovered. This is a great tally too, especially when you consider we only have three teams this year. Team 2 had the majority of the recoveries for the day, but the winds played a huge roll in this record, dumping most of them within 200 yards of their spot. One landed directly next to their Gator, bouncing off the front fender. Captain always told us that if we see one coming straight for us, step to the side. Definitely put that into practice today.

Their was a small number of perfect flights today, but all except one, left the rails. Many were short flights that quickly went off projection coming down again shortly. It was definitely an entertaining day of launches. One blew the engine out of the bottom and hung up on the rail instead of lifting off.

Early tomorrow morning, recovery will try to locate the two still in the field.

Tomorrow’s original schedule shows 6 schools and 23 rockets. Since Henrietta HS launched today, that adjusts tomorrow’s schedule to 5 schools and 21 rockets.

Tomorrow’s weather predicts to be almost the same as today. Temperatures will start in the 70’s headed to the mid 80’s with partly cloudy conditions until late afternoon again. Hopefully the winds won’t be quite as strong, and the ceiling less thick.

Recovery will be down one team from today, as Tyler Olson will not be able to help again. Hopefully a new team will show to take his place.

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

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

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

Restrooms and wash stations will be provided at the launch site. A spectator tent will be available. Spectators are allowed this year. Teachers, spectators and students are encouraged to bring pop up tents(10×10) for extra shelter during the day. Please remember sunscreen, chairs, umbrellas, food, extra snacks, and drinks for your group since there are no concessions onsite this year.  Please be courteous and clean up after yourselves and the members of your group. Downtime entertainment for the students to engage in between launches may also be helpful. Rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch, and delay schedules.

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

North Texas/Jack County:

  • Friday, April 29
  • Launch Site: FM 2210 W and Gowan Ranch Lane, Jacksboro, TX 76458
    Look for the signs, for Stages 1 and 2, and Event parking.
  • North Texas-Jack County 2022 Flight Schedule (Original schedule before Henrietta HS switched to today. Currently I do not have a revised schedule, but at this point the only change I am aware of is no HHS for Friday.)
  • Schools participating: Buinger CTE Academy, Henrietta HS, Birdville HS, University HS, Petrolia HS, RL Turner HS
  • 21 rockets expected for testing.
  • Livestream link at available at www.systemsgo.org  for each day.

If you are follow this program join us again tomorrow for Rockets 2022 Day 2 in Jacksboro.

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

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

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

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