This aerial view shows the new mobile launcher or ML under construction at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

This aerial view shows the new mobile launcher, or ML, under construction at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launcher is being built for the Ares rockets. 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