AHS rockets to New Mexico
Anahuac High School students Brayden Mcshan (left), Ben Riddle, Christian Giliken, Tina Ly, Tammy Ly, Kolton Hennigen and Joshua Moore pose with the rocket they built. Not pictured are Hunter Hill, Connor Bogue and Beaux Richey.
NEW MEXICO— Many believe rocket science is one of the most challenging sciences, and Anahuac High School students recently tested their knowledge on the topic.
Since 2023, AHS has partnered with Hardin-Jefferson High School to build a rocket, and in mid-June, students traveled to White Sands Missile Range for testing.
"We battle the laws of physics and chemistry," Anahuac High School coach Kirk Moore said. "We don't use kits or pay someone to design a rocket for us. The kids do this."
Moore added that the students occasionally have assistance from outside sources to supply equipment.
Two years ago, Moore and HJHS coach Mike Fogo got together with a team of students to build a rocket that could launch 50,000 feet in the air.
Last year, the two schools came together again to try to overcome challenges from the first year. The project was terminated due to a propulsion issue.
This year, the team worked through design and fabrication issues.
"It was a challenge working between two schools with different schedules, but the kids found ways to make it work," Moore said.
The students built a rocket that was 22 feet long and weighed 371 pounds fully loaded and fueled. Then, they took the rocket to WSMR in New Mexico for testing.
On Friday, June 13, a team of seven AHS students and three HJHS students went to WSMR for a final check before the launch the following day.
During a pressure check, the team found a leak where an O-ring was not sealing. Although the O-ring was repaired, when reinstalling the oxidizer hose, the hose fitting didn't connect.
Moore explained a thread broke on the fitting, jamming the connection, which prevented the hose from tightening down for a seal.
The team packed up and brought the rocket back to town to attempt to repair the hose, but the hose didn't solve the pressure leak issue. By then, the team was out of time and had to abort the launch due to safety concerns.
On the range this year was Col. Matt Johnson, commander of the testing directorate. Johnson visited each team on the range and spent time with the Anahuac crew.
He talked with the students about what happened, why it happened and what they learned.
"I thought that was an awesome opportunity for our kids," Moore said. "This person, who is in charge of one of the largest military testing sites, took the time to build the kids up after their experience."
Moore explained that the students were disappointed in not being able to launch, but that they were already working on the issues for next year's launch. He noted that they didn't complain throughout the process and instead searched for solutions to the issues presented.
"People have different definitions of success. I had the opportunity to work with the kids through adversity and see how they handled pressure," Moore said. "That is success, developing minds that are able to learn from adversity and wanting to be better."