Alamo Heights High School Aeroscience students unveil their high-altitude rocket on July 25, in front of the high school
The unveiling allowed students the opportunity to share their experiences during the two-year project in which they worked to build a rocket designed to reach an altitude of 100,000 feet at MACH (three times the speed of sound). The students then packed their custom rocket and traveled to the launch site in White Sands, New Mexico.
On Tuesday, July 30, the AHHS Aeroscience students launched their 22-foot rocket, named Maverick II, into the skies over White Sands, New Mexico! Stationed in a command center similar to those used by NASA, students ran a series of pre-launch tests with great success. Reaching this first benchmark, proved to students that the rocket was indeed ready to launch. As they counted down to liftoff, the students shared their pride and excitement. White Sands officials called the students and their rocket impressive, sharing that this was the first time they had ever seen a rocket of this magnitude built by amateurs.
As the rocket lifted and launched, students and staff cheered. As it lifted, the rocket somehow made contact with the launch railing and was damaged. Reports indicate the rocket launched to 3,000 feet before crashing after the sustained damage.
Even though the rocket did not make its goal of 100,000 feet, the students called the launch a success. They are already planning the redesign for next year’s rocket, still riding high on the enthusiasm and excitement of this experience.
