Rockets '09 - 4/24-26

Representatives from the aerospace industry and higher education will join students from 26 Texas high school as they send 46 rockets over a mile high during Rockets '09, April 24 - 26, 2009 at the Paul Meek Ranch south of Fredericksburg.

Rockets '09 is the culminating activity of the SystemsGo Aeroscience program, developed over 10 years by Brett Williams, technology teacher at Fredericksburg High School. First year students will launch rockets that carry a one-pound payload one mile high. Second generation rockets will break the sound barrier and reach heights over 12,000 feet.

The public is invited to attend the three-day event at no charge. The Paul Meek ranch is located six miles south of Fredericksburg on Hwy 16, at Alfred Petsch Road. Turn on Petsch Road and travel 1.1 mile to the launch site. Signs will be posted on Hwy 16. There will be free parking, security, food and T-shirt concessions, and several informational and activity booths. Tours of the testing and prep areas will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday.

On Friday, April 24, groups of students from area middle schools will tour the prep and testing areas, visit with high school students and teachers, and build and launch their own model rockets. On Saturday and Sunday visiting children will be able to purchase, build, and launch their own model rockets.

On Sunday, Students from the University of Texas Longhorn Rocket Association will test rockets they built. Other universities represented include Texas A&M Engineering Department, Texas Tech Hill Country, and Kettering University. NASA will provide an outreach group representing its International Space Station program.

Ignite is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed to help spread the program to other high schools in Texas. Anyone wanting to start a program, to provide support, or to learn more about Ignite can visit www.igniteeducation.org or call 830-997-3567.