| The 2006 launch marked Sheboygan's tenth successful annual launch. More than 40 sixth through 12th grade student teams from Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois were involved in the 2006 Rockets for Schools launch at the Blue Harbor Conference Center. In the months leading up to the launch, student teams designed and built their scale model rockets along with their scientific payloads. Teams also developed a project summary and posters detailing group efforts.
On Friday, May 12, 2006, NASA Astronaut Dr. John Grunsfeld delivered a speech about his experiences in space. He also entertained students' questions about spaceflight. Senator Joe Leibham, Mayor Juan Perez, Congressman Mark Green, Ron Roen, and Kenneth “Pete” Gunn with the Florida Space Authority also spoke to the program participants at the event. Rockets for Schools celebrated the recent passage of the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority legislation. At noon, there was a BI-B flyover from Ellsworth Air Base (U.S. Air Force 28th Bombwing) air combat command.
As part of a Passport Book activity, students collected stamps from the exhibitors for taking part in an educational activity. Throughout the day, event attendees were also able to tour the NASA bus, view NASA exhibits, experience a flight simulation, see a star show, and participate in various other educational activities. Student teams delivered presentations to a panel of judges as part of the competition.
On Saturday, May 13, students were involved in recovery, tracking, mission control, video production, or weather balloon teams. Then the opportunity they were all waiting for arrived: the rocket launch. Class-1 rockets soared more than 2,500 feet while Class-2 rockets climbed approximately 4,500 feet. The U.S. Coast Guard, the City of Sheboygan, Senator Joseph Leibham's office, and Space Explorers, Inc. also launched rockets off the pier. Tripoli Rocket Association conducted specialty launches. The day concluded with an awards ceremony.
View pictures from the 2006 launch event
2006 event schedule
More details about the 2006 launch
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