| The 2007 launch marked Sheboygan's eleventh successful annual launch. 46 sixth through 12th grade student teams from Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois were involved in the 2007 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 4, 2007, 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, Keith Moses, Keven Koski, Chrissy Paape, Eric Cayemberg, Ron Roen, and Kenneth “Pete” Gunn, with the Florida Space Authority, also spoke to the program participants at the event. Rockets for Schools celebrated last year’s passage of the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority legislation. At noon, there was a B-52 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 flight and other computer automated mission simulations, see a star show, observe a robotics demonstration, see a rocket engine ignite, build and launch paper rockets, and participate in various other educational activities. Student teams delivered presentations to a panel of judges as part of the competition.
On Saturday, May 5, students were involved in recovery, tracking, mission control, video production, or weather balloon teams. As part of the rocket launch activities, Class-1 rockets soared to more than 2,500 feet while Class-2 rockets climbed approximately 4,500 feet. Due to high winds the launches were delayed about an hour. The launch pad was moved farther down the pier, the launch angle was changed, and the parachutes were altered to accommodate the wind factor. The U.S. Coast Guard, the City of Sheboygan, Senator Joseph Leibham's office, Space Explorers, Inc., and Tripoli Rocket Association did not launch rockets off the pier due to the delay. The day concluded with an awards ceremony.
View pictures from the 2007 launch event
2007 event schedule
More details about the 2007 launch
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