KSC-2009-4998

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – This aerial view shows the heart of NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39 Area with the 525-foot tall Vehicle Assembly Building dominating. At lower right is the mobile launcher parking area where the new mobile launcher, or ML, for the Ares rockets is under construction. The ML will be the base to launch the Orion crew exploration vehicle and the cargo vehicle. The base is being made lighter than space shuttle mobile launcher platforms so the crawler-transporter can pick up the added load of the 345-foot tower and taller rocket. When the structural portion of the new mobile launcher is complete, umbilicals, access arms, communications equipment and command/control equipment will be installed. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder