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NASA celebrated with Northrop Grumman at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the latter becoming the first commercial partner to use the Building Assembly Building on the base site. The VAB, as it is more commonly known, is a cavernous building that was used to build and test rockets before launching them on nearby launching pads, which were originally built by NASA to support the Apollo program.
Northrop Grumman will use the VAB to build and prepare its Omega launch vehicle, a new rocket that the company builds to carry intermediate and heavy payloads into orbit. Northrop is positioned as a less risky alternative to reusable models driven by competition (cough SpaceX cough), and it is also presented as an "affordable" option for those looking for launch services. OmegA is designed to help Northrop Grumman compete for future national security launch contracts, as well as support the missions of commercial customers.
NASA will also continue to use the VAB to assemble its own Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which will support the Artemis program missions and transport the Lockheed Martin-built Orion crew to the ship. space, then on the Moon.
The Kennedy Space Center already hosts rocket and launch facilities for SpaceX and Blue Origin, making it a hot spot for public / private space activities.
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