KSC-2009-2306

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Near Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Director of the Constellation Project Office Pepper E. Phillips speaks to employees and media during the handover ceremony for Mobile Launcher Platform-1. Marking the handover is the change of banner on the platform behind him. On the stage and also participating in the ceremony are Director of Launch Vehicle Processing Rita Willcoxon , Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach, and Manager of MLP Operations with United Space Alliance Brett Raulerson. The platform is being transferred from NASA's Space Shuttle Program to the Constellation Program for the Ares I-X flight test targeted for this summer. Constructed in 1964, the mobile launchers used in Apollo/Saturn operations were modified for use in shuttle operations. With cranes, umbilical towers and swing arms removed, the mobile launchers were renamed Mobile Launcher Platforms, or MLPs. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett