KSC-2012-5573

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As part of NASA's Ground Systems Development and Operations Program at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a work platform is lowered onto a transporter for removal from the Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB. As part of a modernization effort, flexible settings area being designed for multiple launch vehicles instead of the whole building supporting one design. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is developing the necessary ground systems, infrastructure and operational approaches required to safely process, assemble, transport and launch the next generation of rockets and spacecraft in support of NASA’s exploration objectives. Future work also will replace the antiquated communications, power and vehicle access resources with modern efficient systems. Some of the utilities and systems slated for replacement have been used since the VAB opened in 1965. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/ground/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nahser