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Moon Landing Anniversary

Sunday, July 20th, 2025, will mark the 56th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing mission, which was successfully fulfilled by astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. The astronauts took off on July 16th, 1969, out of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) Kennedy Space Center in Florida and set foot on the moon on July 20th, 1969. To successfully achieve the Apollo 11 mission, it took hundreds of people working behind the scenes for years to fully execute this perfect mission, including NASA’s mechanical engineers crew, who also made it easier for other successful missions to take place later on. NASA’s mechanical engineers’ abilities to solve problems, design, and build were vital components that helped NASA organize, piece together, and successfully execute these missions. The mechanical engineer crew worked long hours and around the clock developing new technologies in addition to perfecting old ones. NASA’s mechanical engineers developed and worked on typical technology systems such as spacecraft, satellites, and engines. In order to be part of NASA’s mechanical engineer crew, one must have a range of knowledge and skills in disciplines such as aerospace, computers, and electronics to be able to work on various tasks and meet NASA’s strict criteria.

Since the first mission, NASA has had several successful moon landings. Aside from Apollo 11, NASA launched Apollo 12 with astronauts Charles "Pete" Conrad and Alan Bean; Apollo 14 with astronauts Alan B. Shepard Jr. and Edgar D. Mitchell; Apollo 15 with astronauts David R. Scott and James B. Irwin; Apollo 16 with astronauts Charles M. Duke and John W. Young, who was also part of the Apollo 10 orbital; and Apollo 17 with astronauts Harrison H. Schmitt and Eugene Cernan, who was also part of the Apollo 10 orbital.

NASA also had difficult missions, one happening during the third moon landing mission called Apollo 13. After launching the Apollo 13 spacecraft, the astronauts never made it to the moon because they experienced malfunction issues that caused them to lose oxygen. One of the oxygen tanks exploded and almost caused a near disaster, but luckily the astronauts were able to loop around the moon and make a safe re-entry and landing in the Earth’s atmosphere. After studying what caused the failures on the Apollo 13 mission, NASA made multiple changes to the design of the spacecraft for increased safety, which allowed Apollo 14, 15, 16, and 17 missions to be successful.

If you are interested in NASA’s missions and mechanical engineering and would like more information, please visit https://www.nasa.gov/.

 

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International Women in Engineering Day

Today, June 23rd, marks the 12th International Women in Engineering Day (INWED). Initially, popularity and enthusiasm for the day expanded the celebration from its concentrated origin in the United Kingdom to become a worldwide event.

Originally launched in 2014 by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), INWED sought to recognize and celebrate the presence and importance of underrepresented women in engineering. WES’ own mission is to be active supporters of women, motivate women to pursue careers in engineering, collaborate with government agencies and policymakers, and challenge stagnant cultures, which merge into the yearly celebration of INWED.

This year’s theme, #TogetherWeEngineer, will focus on highlighting the incredible work that female engineers perform when they collaborate. INWED encourages all supporting groups, globally, to organize events in support of INWED. There are many ways in which the supporting groups can collaborate and/or get involved during INWED. WES encourages that everyone can get involved by either becoming STEM ambassadors; hosting networking, mentoring, career, or social events; signing up for the INWED newsletter and following their social media accounts, such as Twitter and Instagram at INWEB1919; joining WES as a corporate partner; and/or promoting this year’s theme with the #TogetherWeEngineer and #INWEB25 hashtags. Last year, all supporting groups made a huge impact globally, reaching millions of people. Together, we can make significant change and expand awareness of the importance of women in engineering.

For more information about INWED and how you or your organization can participate, visit www.inwed.org.uk.

 

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Celebrating Infrastructure Week 2025: Progress and the Road Ahead

Every May, communities, policymakers, and industry leaders come together to recognize Infrastructure Week, which is a national event that highlights the importance of investing in and modernizing America’s infrastructure. This year, Infrastructure Week took place from May 12 to May 16, 2025, offering a platform to reflect on progress, raise awareness, and encourage action across the country.

Infrastructure Week is more than a celebration; it's a call to action. From highways and bridges to water systems and broadband access, our nation’s infrastructure plays a vital role in our daily lives and the health of our economy. Throughout the week, events were held nationwide, including public forums, site visits, and social media campaigns, all aimed at engaging citizens and decision-makers in conversations about the future of infrastructure.

A major highlight of this year's observance was the release of the 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The report card showed encouraging signs of improvement in several key areas, thanks to recent investments and bipartisan support for major infrastructure legislation. However, the overall grade remains short of where it needs to be, signaling that while we’ve made progress, much work still lies ahead.

So, how can you get involved? Supporting Infrastructure Week doesn’t require technical expertise, just a willingness to engage. You can attend local or virtual events, advocate for sustainable funding solutions, support infrastructure-related policies, or even explore careers in construction, engineering, and transportation. Sharing information on social media using hashtags like #InfrastructureWeek and #BuildForTomorrow also helps raise awareness.

As we look beyond Infrastructure Week 2025, it’s clear that continued collaboration and long-term commitment are essential to build a safer, more resilient, and more efficient infrastructure system for future generations. Let’s keep the momentum going—not just one week a year, but every day

 

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National Safe Digging Month

April is National Safe Digging Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the potential dangers of digging without first detecting utility lines. Each year, countless injuries, fatalities, and property damage occur because of negligence in this area. To prevent such incidents, it is crucial to contact your state's 811 center before undertaking any digging activities.

The purpose of National Safe Digging Month is to educate the public about the importance of safe digging practices. By calling 811, individuals can request utility line locations, ensuring that they dig safely and avoid any potential harm. This simple step can save lives, prevent outages, and minimize costly penalties.

Digging without first detecting utility lines can have severe consequences. Damage to gas, electric, water, sewer, and telecommunications lines can disrupt essential services, causing inconvenience and potential hazards. Repairing these damages can be time-consuming and expensive, impacting not only the digger but also the entire community.

By promoting National Safe Digging Month, we aim to emphasize the significance of responsible digging. Whether you are a homeowner planning a landscaping project or a professional contractor working on a construction site, it is essential to prioritize safety and take the necessary precautions.

When planning a dig, start by reaching out to your state's 811 center. By providing them with the necessary information about your project, they can help identify any underground utility lines that may be present. This valuable service is free and can be accessed by simply dialing 811.

Once you have contacted the 811 centers, they will notify the appropriate utility companies, who will then send representatives to mark the locations of their lines. These markings will indicate where it is safe to dig, helping you avoid potential hazards and costly damage.

Remember, it is essential to wait for the utility lines to be marked before starting any excavation work. Rushing into a project without proper detection can have severe consequences, both for your safety and the well-being of your community.

National Safe Digging Month serves as a reminder that responsible digging is everyone's responsibility. By raising awareness and promoting safe practices, we can prevent accidents, protect our infrastructure, and ensure a safer environment for all.

In conclusion, National Safe Digging Month is an important initiative that aims to educate individuals about the potential hazards of digging without first detecting utility lines. By contacting your state's 811 center, you can ensure a safe and successful dig, avoiding injuries, outages, and penalties. Let us all join hands in promoting safe digging practices and making our communities safer places to live and work.

 

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Celebrating Our 42nd Anniversary

KC Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C. (KC), a leading provider of engineering and land surveying services in the New York State and City area, is proud to celebrate our 42nd anniversary. Since our founding in 1983, KC has grown from a small business to a thriving firm with over 100 employees. KC has consistently demonstrated our commitment to excellence in the field of engineering and land surveying. Our firm has been recognized for our outstanding work on numerous occasions, including the 2021 AGC New York State Excellence in Partnering Award for Informal Partnering and the 2022 ACEC New York Diamond Award—Transportation for the New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA) Design-Build Contract D800002 TA 19-1: Cashless Tolling project.

One of the key factors in our success has been our ability to adapt to the changing needs of the industry. KC has continually invested in new technologies and equipment, and our experienced professionals’ staff are always up to date on the latest certifications and courses. As a result of our commitment to excellence, KC continues to be awarded numerous projects as a prime and subconsultant. KC has also been involved in a number of high-profile projects, including being the Lead Designer on the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) I-81 Viaduct - Phase 1, Contract 2 project. In addition to our professional achievements, KC is also committed to giving back to the community. KC supports a number of local charities and organizations.

At KC, we are grateful for the support of our staff, clients, and subconsultants who we have collaborated with over the past 42 years. We look forward to continuing to provide exceptional engineering and land surveying services for many years to come. As KC looks ahead, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. We are confident that we will continue to be leaders in the engineering and land surveying industry for many years to come. KC is committed to providing our clients with the highest quality services possible, and we are constantly looking for new ways to improve our operations. KC is thankful for the support of our staff, clients, and subconsultants we have collaborated with over the past 42 years. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with these individuals and organizations to achieve even greater success in the years to come.