United Launch Alliance (ULA) has finalized preparations for the Atlas V rocket to launch the Solar Orbiter mission, an international cooperative mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA, on Feb. 9 2020 from  Space Launch Complex-41 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, ULA announced on Friday.

“We are proud to launch Solar Orbiter in support of our NASA and international mission partners,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “This exciting mission will allow us to further explore our universe and understand the intricacies of the sun.”

The completed Atlas V 411 rocket will include one solid rocket booster, which will provide precise, optimal performance enabling the rocket to deliver a range of mission types. Atlas V 411 has completed five flights, including NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission.

ULA has designed the Atlas V 411 withstand the departure from Earth and its trajectory, which will include repeated close encounters to the sun, including a 4-meter large payload fairing (PLF) and stands 189 ft. tall. The Atlas booster will be powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine. The configuration first launched on April 20, 2006.

NASA’s Launch Services Program at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida selected ULA. The agency will be responsible for management and oversight of the Atlas V launch services.

Launch is planned for 11:03 p.m. EST at the opening of a two-hour launch window. The live launch broadcast begins at 10:30 p.m. EST on NASA TV.

About ULA

ULA is harnessing the potential of space for humanity. We are dreamers inspired by possibilities not yet imagined, believers driven to broaden horizons, and doers combining technology, innovation, expertise, ingenuity and a commitment to the extraordinary.

The technologies we enable protect our country and troops in the battlefield, enable search and rescue, provide a backbone for business and connect families across the globe. They help us explore our city and learn about our solar system and places beyond.

RavenTek has raised over $74 thousand for No Boundaries Military, Inc. during the 6th annual Charity Gala to help rehabilitate combat wounded servicemen and women, the company announced on Friday.

“Each year we hear from the veterans who go on these trips with No Boundaries and how important this Program has been for them and their families. We give a little back to these guys who risked their lives for our freedoms” said Chairman of the Board, Frank Watson.

No Boundaries has been dedicated to promote veterans’ self-esteem, pride and a sense of accomplishment as they return to civilian life and are faced with challenges as they try to acclimate.

The charity has organized two 6-day trips a year for 10 veterans to participate in adaptive sports activities. These trips are all expenses paid for participating veterans. 100 percent of the money that RavenTek raised for No Boundaries will be used to send veterans on the trip.

Six wounded veterans attended RavenTek’s gala and shared their experiences from combat, rehab and how their lives have been changed from participating on a No Boundaries trip, including Major Jack Sottlemire, Army Sergeant Chris White, Army Sgt. Zach Herrick and Army Specialist Grady Bendel.

Mike Raymond co-founded No Boundaries with his wife Molly Raymond, who has suffered a traumatic brain injury. “Without your support, No Boundaries wouldn’t exist,” Mike Raymond said to the gala attendees. Over the last 5 years, RavenTek has helped raise more than $200,000 for No Boundaries, sending more than 130 wounded veterans on these life changing trips. Raymond went on to tell the crowd, “When we go on these trips, we become a family.”

About RavenTek

RavenTek is an IT modernization and integration company. We deliver and customize leading-edge agile solutions, services and products to mission critical organizations, primarily federal government agencies. Leveraging our innovative technology partners with our technical expertise, we always put our customers first so they can focus on their mission. At the same time, we provide strategic insight and solutions to ensure the highest IT performance.

Bechtel has opened a new office in New York City to support local leaders in solving the region’s infrastructure challenges, Brendan Betchel, chairman and CEO, announced on Thursday.

“Big cities around the world are coping with congestion, the effects of climate change, and aging infrastructure…Our goal is to be a partner in helping New York realize its vision of reducing carbon emissions, improving transportation, expanding its digital technology and insuring equal access to safe, reliable infrastructure,” said Bechtel.

Bechtel’s New York team will be supervised by Keith Sibley, former Testing & Commissioning program director with the company, who has ample experience with infrastructure projects in big cities in North American and Europe.

Silbey has led the major subway extension in Toronto, Canada and has worked in England on a new railway beneath London that spans over 62 miles. Additionally, he has headed a series of station upgrades across London’s underground tube network.

Previously, Silbey has managed a large-scale expansion at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. He has also headed the Boston, MA expansion of and tunnels, bridges, and rail projects.

“Bechtel has significant experience supporting New York with new insight, technology, and solutions for connecting the region. We look forward to collaborating with the local community to address the needs of the next generation of infrastructure,” said Sibley.

About Bechtel

Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers’ objectives to create a lasting positive impact.

Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world’s infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.