The SystemsGo team and volunteers spent Wednesday and Thursday at the site in North Texas, near Jacksboro in Jack County, transforming the Brown and Thornton family ranches into a launch site, once again for this year’s 2024 NTX launch. Friday morning, marks opening day for this Texas launch venue, as schools, students, and test vehicles arrive for the Rockets 2024 launch line up.
This is the event’s fifth active year in this location. The ranches used here in Jack county are courtesy of the Brown family for Stage 1, 2 and Event Parking, and the Thornton family for Stage 3, Mission Control and launching.
This year’s event is sponsored by Lockheed Martin as well as Tellus of Stephenville who supplied the ATV’s used by recovery. Bert Mikosh of CredenceIO Technologies was instrumental in installing Starlink WIFI to support our technology and communications. And The Sid W. Richardson Foundation is the original founding sponsor for SystemsGo for this event.
Pictures from the progress of the launches at this site are shared on SystemsGo Facebook page, as well as my Facebook page. They can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/SystemsGoNews
https://www.facebook.com/ginger.burow
The featured picture at the head of this article, shows a little about the range land this particular launch event calls home. The signage shows the sense of irony and humor our group has. After all, placement is everything!
Concessions for this year’s launch event in Jacksboro, were to be provided by Brazos Volunteer Fire Department . Unfortunately due the predictions of inclement weather possible in the area, they had to cancel in order to be able to provide timely support around their community in the event weather hazards arise. Due to this we ask that all teachers, etc. bring food, drinks, and snacks for your students and other members in your party.
Restrooms and wash stations will be provided by Mobile Thrones again this year, both at the launch site and the Stage 1 and 2, Event parking site.
A spectator tent will NOT be available on site this year. Teachers and Spectators are encouraged to bring 10×10 pop up tents for themselves and their students for extra shelter. Please remember sunscreen, chairs, umbrellas, extra snacks, drinks, and food. Downtime entertainment for the students to engage in between launches may also be helpful.
Rockets are subject to winds, weather and workmanship, all of which can stall a launch, and delay schedules. Sunday is our built in weather contingency day should we need to delay launches. All rockets and students should proceed through Stages 1, 2, and 3 at their assigned times each day so that each vehicle can be completed and be ready for launch if possible. If delays happen the completed rockets will be stored in a trailer until the next available, safe launch spot becomes available, either that day, or subsequent days as circumstances allow.
Parents are asked to ride with their students in the school buses from Stage 1 and 2. Other spectators will have provided parking, watch for signage marking that area and instructions on how you will be brought in from there. We will not be shuttling spectators to the launch site this year.
Jacksboro is the first Texas launch for the Rockets 2024 season but the second launch in the SystemsGo launch line up for the spring rocket trail. SystemsGo New Mexico held the first launch, in Jal, New Mexico, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. North Texas will be followed by launches in Central Texas/Stonewall and Southeast Texas/Smith Point.
North Texas/Jack County, is hosting 8 schools, slated to test 44 rockets Friday and Saturday. Sunday is set as a contingency day in case of inclement weather. Storms are possible due to a cold front moving through the area with the highest possibilities being Saturday and Sunday. Due to this watch for possible weather delays and schedule changes. Hopefully they will not be necessary, but the possibility looms.
Tomorrow’s basic launch details including schools are also listed here for your convenience or can be found at http://www.systemsgo.org/events/ .
North Texas/Jack County:
- Friday, April 26-Saturday, April 27 (Contingency Day, Sunday, April 28.)
- Launch Site: FM 2210 W and Gowan Ranch Lane, Jacksboro, TX 76458
Stage 1 & 2 are at the bus parking area. Look for the signs, you will arrive there first. - North Texas-Jack County 2023 Flight Schedules may be downloaded from the SystemsGo/Events page.
- Schools participating: BCTAL, Hollenstein CTC, Carroll HS
- 44 expected rockets for testing.
- Watch the Livestream here: Streaming Link April 26 NTX
- The sites will be open to admittance for students and teachers only at 6:00 a.m. Projected start time for launches is 9:00 a.m. All is contingent on test vehicle readiness and ability to pass Stages 1 and 2. Mission Control will be ready for Stage 3 checks by 8:00 a.m.
Here are a couple of things that SystemsGo requires for your attendance:
- Any member of the public wishing to attend a launch is required to register online and agree to SystemsGo Terms and Conditions 2024. There is no charge, but proof of registration is required before entering the site.
- Ticket Links can be found https://www.systemsgo.org/events/ listed under each individual venue.
Questions and concerns may be directed to info@systemsgo.org.
If you cannot attend in person, join in the action and cheer on your students on the Livestream. The link is provided above and on the SystemsGo/Event page. The look on your students’ faces when their vehicle goes up and then is recovered, is beyond priceless. If they know you are watching and supporting them, that makes it mean so much more. Shoot them a text, or iMessage letting them know you are watching online. You can also join in on the live chat on the Vimeo Live Stream.
The Livestream is a perfect way to follow SystemsGo’s upcoming launches in Central Texas/Stonewall and Southeast Texas/Smith Point. Be sure to check the SystemsGo/Event page for the link to each event.
You can follow along on the SystemsGo Recovery Portal to see the status of you or your students’ rocket. See whether the rocket is ready for launch, has launched, whether it has been recovered and the status of the vehicle at recovery, or if it was lost and unable to be recovered.
More event details will be available here in upcoming days. Daily reports featuring schedules, school names, results, pictures and some editorial content will be posted during the events if information is available.
Our day is now done. We had a nice dinner at JR’s Chop House B&B, 
and it is time for bed, because it will be early to rise tomorrow, with all #EyesToTheSkies. See you at the launch!
Please watch the SystemsGo website, SystemsGo Facebook page, SystemsGo X (Twitter) feed: https://twitter.com/SystemsGoNews and this blog for upcoming information on these events.
www.systemsgo.org as always is the place for more information on this program. You may also email them at info@systemsgo.org . Take the time to get your school involved, the future of your students will be greatly benefited.
Hope to see you at the launches! #RidetheSkies, #EyesontheSkies #ItisRocketscience #Rockets2024 #SystemsGoRocketTrail #TexasRocketTrail
On the Wings of Angels 