The Launch of Orion Delta IV Heavy Exploration Flight Test-1

NASA's Orion Delta IV Heavy Rocket being set up on the launchpad.

As we prepare for the launch of the Orion Delta IV Heavy rocket tomorrow for Exploration Flight Test-1, we are excited to celebrate the small businesses that have contributed to this project. The uncrewed Orion spacecraft, launching out of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, takes the human dream of visiting Mars one step closer, and it brings the United States toward reaching President Obama's goal of having men on Mars by the 2030s.

The Orion Project is a huge success for small businesses as there are over 1,000 small business suppliers that are contributing to this effort in 45 of the 50 states across the United States. Many high-tech small businesses have participated by doing work involving engineering services, procurement services, software development, ground support equipment, thermal and pressure panes, building flight hardware and much more. Small businesses have received more than $643 million dollars since the start of the program and the Orion Project small business plan commits over $1 billion dollars to small businesses in total.

The road to Mars begins here.

There is no limit to what small businesses can accomplish with NASA, including work on projects such as this one, the Delta IV Heavy rocket. The small businesses that have assisted in this effort will be featured in a publication to celebrate their accomplishments and work with NASA coming next quarter.

Tune in to the launch tomorrow, Thursday December 4, 2014 at 7:00am EST - live coverage of the event will begin at 4:30am EST at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv. For more information about the Orion Project, please visit http://www.nasa.gov/orion/#.VH8dKY1dVW6.