Tag: #Texasrockettrail

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

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

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

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

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

Central Texas/Stonewall:

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

The sites will be open to admittance for students and teachers only at 6:00 a.m. Projected start time for launches is 8:30 a.m. All is contingent on test vehicle readiness and ability to pass Stages 1 and 2. Mission Control will be ready for Stage 3 checks by 8:00 a.m. Of course rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch.

Restrooms and wash stations will be provided at the launch site. Due to COVID restrictions, no concessions or spectator tent will be available, because no spectators are allowed this year. Teachers are asked to bring pop up tents for themselves and their students. Please remember sunscreen, chairs, umbrellas, extra snacks, drinks, and food.  Downtime entertainment for the students to engage in between launches may also be helpful.

You can still be prepared to join in the action and cheer on these students on the Livestream. The look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered, and knowing you are watching and supporting them, is far from priceless.  Shoot them a text, letting them know you are watching online.

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

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

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

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

Rockets 2021 Continues with Central Texas/Stonewall Launch This Week

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

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

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

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

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

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

Restrooms and wash stations will be provided at the launch site. Due to COVID restrictions, no concessions or spectator tent will be available, because no spectators are allowed this year. Teachers are asked to bring pop up tents for themselves and their students. Please remember sunscreen, chairs, umbrellas, extra snacks, drinks, and food.  Downtime entertainment for the students to engage in between launches may also be helpful. Rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch, and delay schedules.

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

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

Central Texas/Stonewall:

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

The sites will be open to admittance for students and teachers only at 6:00 a.m. Projected start time for launches is 8:30 a.m. All is contingent on test vehicle readiness and ability to pass Stages 1 and 2. Mission Control will be ready for Stage 3 checks by 8:00 a.m.

Of course rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch. But you can still be prepared to join in the action and cheer on these students on the Livestream. The look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered, and knowing you are watching and supporting them, is far from priceless.  Shoot them a text, letting them know you are watching online. 

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

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

The senior groups are tentatively scheduled to launch their Goddard level rockets at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico possibly in late June.  These are not available for public viewing or Livestream due to being tested on a military facility, but blog and SystemsGo updates will be posted online as available during that week. This will be the fifth launch sequence and will finalize the Rockets 2021 season.

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

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

 

 

 

ROCKETS 2021, Riding the Skies of Education and Fun!

SystemsGo Rockets 2021 is already in full swing. The group met, February 5, to line out details for the upcoming spring launches.  In attendance were SystemsGo team members, Rebekah Hyatt, Program Director; Scott Netherland, Executive Director;  Doug Kimbrell, Board President; Tara Kitchens, Executive Assistant; with  Phil Houseal, Communications Director; Kirk Moore, Regional Director for Southeast Texas;  and Doug Underwood, Regional Director for North Texas joining on video. Also in attendance were volunteers, Steve Burow and Ginger Burow.

Necessities and logistics for all  Texas launch locations were discussed. Venues for lodging, and all needed equipment for each launch site were decided and individuals lined out, to secure them . Travel plans were also lined out. Bear in mind that due to COVID some things will be different. The following changes and requirements will be in place for spring launches:

1. There will not be onsite concessions. We will provide boxed lunches each day and of course water and sodas throughout the day for our volunteers. Schools are responsible for their own food.

2. We are not having spectator tents to reduce the opportunity for people to congregate. We are encouraging schools to bring their own shelter and chairs. We are asking that all participants practice social distancing.

3. Wristbands are required for all. We have limited participating teams to 3 students per team. (****This is correct at time of publication but may be changing with COVID restrictions lifting in some areas.) We have closed the event to any and all spectators. We must limit and control the number of people on site so we are requiring all to wear a wristband and will be monitoring that throughout the day.

4. Face coverings are required.

5. Temp checks – we will do temp checks each day upon arrival/check in at Stage 1.

6. We recommend that all volunteers over 65 be vaccinated. This is not mandatory, just suggested.

7. All toilet facilities will have disinfectant spray. We are asking that everyone use the spray before and after use. There will also be handwashing stations available.

All schools have been notified of this change. Questions and concerns may be directed to info@systemsgo.org.

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

  • New Mexico (Jal) — May 11-13th
  • North Texas (North of Mineral Well/Jack County) — April 22-23,  weather contingency day on the 24th
  • Central Texas (Stonewall) — April 29-May 1,  weather contingency day on May 2nd
  • Southeast Texas (Anahuac/Smith Point) — May 6-8,  weather contingency day May 9th
  • WSMR – TBD

Current schedules for launches show about 150 vehicles expected for launch at the spring launch sites.

Excitement is building and plans are under way. 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 over two weeks.  Welcome back to the Texas 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 greatly benefited.

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

Rockets 2019 Central Texas/Stonewall Ended Today, With a Weather Makeup Day, Sunday

The Central Texas/Stonewall launch hit its final day in this series for the Rockets 2019 season, today. This day was not originally on the schedule but added due to inclement weather on Thursday and Friday to allow schools another launch option if they could not complete theirs due to the bad weather. Only one school, Georgetown High School chose this option. They had four rockets to test today. Three 1 pound/1 mile and 1 Transonic.

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

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

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

There were a total of 37 rockets tested by 19 schools at the new  Stonewall location for Rockets 2019. The recovery teams did a wonderful job of hunting them and returning them to the students. There were only 2 that were not recovered.

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

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

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

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

If you follow this program and like to view the launches, Rockets 2019  will continue with one more launch next week, May 9-11, with a possible weather make up day again on Sunday. There are some weather predictions for next week that might necessitate using Sunday just as we did this week. The final launch of the junior level rockets will be held in Smith Point just south of Anahuac, Texas (the Southeast Texas/Smith Point launch) for schools in the Houston  and Southeast Texas area.

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

The Smith Point site will be open to public viewing of launches as well. However, if you plan to attend any of these launches please register for your attendance ticket ahead of time or obtain them at the gate. These are free but required for admittance to each site as they also include a waiver for access to the site. Reserving them ahead at the website is preferred to obtaining them at the gate because the latter slows entrance to the site and may result in you missing the viewing of your intended launch.

Come join in the action and cheer on these students too. Admission is free, but the look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered, is far from priceless.

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 #texasrockettrail #Rockets2019

 

 

 

Rockets 2019 Central Texas/Stonewall Launch Rides the Skies Tomorrow, Thursday

Central Texas/Stonewall  Rockets 2019 starts tomorrow! This launch is third in the series for the Rockets 2019 season. This site has moved from Willow City to the Sammy Segner Ranch in Stonewall, Texas, please be aware of that change. More information below.

Currently there are 48 rockets scheduled for launch by 21 schools at the new  Stonewall location. This schedule may be updated this week with the possibility of a few schools that were scheduled for the North Texas launch that could not make it, shifting to this launch. Also rain is in the forecast for most of the launch days. Due to this SystemsGo has issue a weather contingency plan adding Sunday as an alternative. PLEASE see that information quoted below the regular launch information.

Stages 1 and 2 will be at the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce building.  This is also a new location.   This testing site  now covers mostly the Fredericksburg and Hill Country area schools.

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

Central Texas/Stonewall:

  • Thursday, May 2
  • New Launch Site: 2187 Double Horn Road, Stonewall, Texas 78671
    Stage 1 & 2 at Stonewall Chamber of Commerce: 250 Peach Street, Stonewall, TX 78671
  • https://www.greateventseats.com/FBG-SystemsGo
  • Central Texas-Stonewall 2019 Flight Schedule
  • Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/84VMTwMqFvy
    Directions (PDF)
  • Schools participating: Fabens HS, Fredericksburg HS, Granger HS, Hamilton HS, Kingwood HS, Lampasas HS, Llano HS, Marble Falls HS, McGregor HS, Roosevelt HS, Summer Creek HS, Decatur HS, Georgetown HS, Kermit HS, Liberty Christian School, Terrell HS, Tom Moore Ingram HS, Union Grove HS, Victoria East HS
  • 48 total expected rockets for testing-25 Thursday
  • A live feed for each launch will be provided and will be available at www.systemsgo.org as each launch date arrives. Thursday’s is as follows:
  • May 2- Day 1

*************************************************************************

Weather Contingency Advisory from SystemsGo:

Subject: Central Texas Launch Advisory:

Greeting teachers scheduled to launch in Stonewall May 2-4! If you have monitored the weather at all, you know we are in store for a wet event!  Being mindful that our FAA waiver prohibits us from launching into cloud cover and/or lightning in the vicinity, our opportunities to launch will be limited particularly on Thursday and Friday. We want to make sure you are aware of this and the options available. We do have Sunday scheduled as a weather contingency day.  That being said, you have the following options.

Option 1: You continue as planned with your scheduled launch date.  This may mean your rocket will not launch as scheduled. You will have the option to stay and see if we can launch it the following day OR you can leave it with us, we will launch it at our first opportunity.   Should you choose this, we will contact you prior to launch so you can put out the word so your students/parents can watch it on live stream.

Option 2:  Reschedule travel plans and launch day for Saturday or Sunday.  Contact Christy at 830-997-3567 IMMEDIATELY if you would like to reschedule for Saturday or Sunday depending on space available.

We are still looking forward to a great event, but are unable to control the weather. We regret any inconvenience!  Rest assured we will do everything within our power to launch your students rockets.

We do have a safety plan in the event of lightning in the vicinity that involves sheltering in place in the buses.  We appreciate your cooperation!

Rebekah Hyatt

*************************************************************************

The sites will be open for admittance at 8:00 a.m. and launches will commence at 8:30 a.m.  Of course as noted above, 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.

If you plan to attend any of these launches please register for your attendance ticket ahead of time or obtain them at the gate. These are free but required for admittance to each site as they also include a waiver for access to the site. Reserving them ahead at the website is preferred to obtaining them at the gate because the latter slows entrance to the site and may result in you missing the viewing of your intended launch.

Here is a quick look at how our new home is shaping up for tomorrow. Pictures courtesy of Steve Burow. The intro picture for this article is Stage 3/Mission Control from here also.

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

Rockets 2019 Central Texas/Stonewall Launch Rides the Skies From a New Location, This Week

The Central Texas/Stonewall launch is third in the series for the Rockets 2019 season. This site has moved from Willow City to the Sammy Segner Ranch in Stonewall, Texas.

The “Fredericksburg” launch is the original  and therefore the longest  operating launch in the program. The rocket class began in 1996  as Principes of Technology, with a single one pound/one mile rocket developed and launched from a trailer in Lady Bird Johnson Park in 1997. In 1998 they launched the first Transonic vehicle, and in 1999 the first launch at White Sands Missile Range was conducted.

In 2003 the formal program know then as Ignite and now as SystemsGo was created and shared with other schools.

In 2007, five schools joined Fredericksburg in launching 1 pound/1 mile and transonic rockets at a one day event at the Meek Ranch off of State Hwy 16 South of Fredericksburg. This was the programs first official expanded group launch site where it remained  through 2009 until necessity called for a new place away from a major highway.

In 2010 they moved to the Camey Stewart Ranch in Willow City where it remained for 9 years, closing its season there in 2018.  Now in 2019 it continues activities at a new location in Stonewall.

In past years the volume has grown  substantially.  In 2017,  87 rockets were tested in that one  4 day weekend at the Stewart Ranch.  Even with the addition of the Houston launch site in 2012, taking some of the roster, the Fredericksburg launch carried a heavy load.

In 2018 some Southeast Texas schools still coming to Fredericksburg were asked to participate in Houston to try to even the load further. In doing this, they added a third day to the Houston launch and decreased Fredericksburg’s launch from four days to three.

The Fredericksburg site covered the Fredericksburg and Hill Country area schools, as well as North Texas,  and West Texas schools. Now with the addition of Jal, New Mexico and the New North Texas launches, the Fredericksburg load has reduced by about 1/3. With the program growing, these numbers will also continue to grow, but now each site has a renewed potential for expanded volume.

Currently there are 48 rockets scheduled for launch by 21 schools at the new  Stonewall location for Rockets 2019. This schedule may be updated this week with the possibility of a few schools that were scheduled for the North Texas launch that could not make it, shifting to this launch. These will be tested at the Sammy Segner Ranch in Stonewall.

Stages 1 and 2 will be at the Stonewall Chamber of Commerce building.  This is also a new location.   This testing site  now covers mostly the Fredericksburg and Hill Country area schools.

If you follow this program and like to view the launches, Rockets 2019  will continue with one more launch in May. The final launch of the junior level rockets will be held in Smith Point just south of Anahuac, Texas (the Southeast Texas/Smith Point launch) for schools in the Houston  and Southeast Texas area.

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

All sites will be open to public viewing of launches except White Sands Missile Range. However, if you plan to attend any of these launches please register for your attendance ticket ahead of time or obtain them at the gate. These are free but required for admittance to each site as they also include a waiver for access to the site.  Reserving them ahead at the website is preferred to obtaining them at the gate because the latter slows entrance to the site and may result in you missing the viewing of your intended launch.

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

Central Texas/Stonewall:

The sites will be open for admittance at 8:00 a.m. and launches will commence at 8:30 a.m.  Of course rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch. Come join in the action and cheer on these students. Admission is free, but the look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered, is far from priceless.

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 #Texasrockettrail #Rockets2019