3 July 1997 Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [Federal Register: July 3, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 128)] [Notices] [Page 36080-36081] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr03jy97-95] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION [Notice 97-090] National Environmental Policy Act; Cassini Mission AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ACTION: Notice of availability of final supplemental environmental impact statement (FSEIS) for the Cassini Mission to Saturn and its moons. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et.seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and NASA policy and procedures (14 CFR part 1216, subpart 1216.3), NASA has prepared and issued an FSEIS for the Cassini Mission. The FSEIS focuses on the most recently available information pertinent to the risk analyses of potential accidents during the launch and cruise phases of the mission. Certain accidents could potentially result in some release of plutonium dioxide from one or more of the three Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTG's) and the 129 Radioisotope Heater Units (RHU's) onboard the Cassini spacecraft. The currently planned mission involves the launch of the Cassini spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), Florida, during the primary launch opportunity that begins in early October 1997. DATES: NASA will take no final action on the proposed launch of the Cassini Mission before August 4, 1997, or 30 days form the date of publication in the Federal Register of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's notice of availability of the Cassini Mission FSEIS, whichever is later. ADDRESSES: The FSEIS may be reviewed at the following locations: (a) NASA Headquarters, Library, Room 1J20, 300 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20546. (b) Spaceport U.S.A. Room 2001, John F. Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899. Please call Lisa Fowler beforehand at 407-867-2497 so that arrangements can be made. (c) Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Visitors Lobby, Building 249, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 (818-354-5179). In addition, the FSEIS may be examined at the following NASA locations by contacting the pertinent Freedom of Information Act Office: (d) NASA, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035 (415-604-4190). (e) NASA, Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA 93523 (805-258- 3448). (f) NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771 (301-286- 0730). (g) NASA, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058 (713-483-8612). [[Page 36081]] (h) NASA, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23655 (757-864-2497). (i) NASA, Lewis Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH 44135 (216-433-2222). (j) NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812 (202-544-0031). (k) NASA, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 (601-688-2164). Limited copies of the FSEIS are available, on a first request basis, by contacting Mark R. Dahl at the address or telephone number indicated below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mark R. Dahl, NASA Headquarters, Code SD, Washington, DC 20546- 0001; telephone 202-358-1544. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The planned Cassini Mission is an international cooperative effort of NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Italian Space Agency, to explore the planet Saturn and its environment. Saturn is the second-largest and second-most massive planet in the solar system and has the largest, most visible dynamic ring structure of all the planets. The planned mission is an important part of NASA's program for exploration of the solar system, the goal of which is to understand the system's birth and evolution. The Cassini Mission would involve a 4-year scientific exploration of Saturn, its atmosphere, moons, rings, and magnetosphere. The Cassini spacecraft consists of the Cassini Orbiter and the detachable Huygens Probe. The Huygens Probe would be released for a parachute descent into the atmosphere of Titan, Saturn's largest moon. The scientific information gathered by the Cassini Mission could help provide clues to the evolution of the solar system and the origin of life on Earth. NASA issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Cassini Mission in July 1995 (hereinafter the ``EIS'') followed by the associated Record of Decision (ROD) to complete preparation of the Cassini Mission for launch in the October 1997 opportunity, or either the secondary or backup opportunities, and to implement the mission. The Cassini spacecraft would carry three RTG's that use the heat of decay of plutonium dioxide to generate electric power for the spacecraft and its instruments. The spacecraft would also use 129 RHU's, each containing a small amount of plutonium dioxide, to generate heat for controlling the thermal environment of the spacecraft and several of its instruments. The action selected and documented in the ROD associated with the EIS consists of completing preparations for and implementing the Cassini Mission to Saturn and its moons, with a launch of the Cassini spacecraft onboard a Titan IV(SRMU)/Centaur. The launch would take place at CCAS during the primary launch opportunity that begins in early October 1997 and continues into mid-November 1997. A secondary launch opportunity extends from the end of November 1997 to early January 1997, with a backup opportunity from mid-March to early April 1999, both using the Titan IV(SRMU)/Centaur. The primary launch opportunity would employ a Venus-Venus-Earth-Jupiter-Gravity-Assist trajectory to Saturn; the secondary and backup opportunities would both employ a Venus-Earth-Earth-Gravity-Assist (VEEGA) trajectory. The above primary launch opportunity remains NASA's preferred alternative and Proposed Action and would allow the Cassini spacecraft to gather the full science return desired to accomplish mission objectives. Along with the No-Action alternative (ceasing preparations and not implementing the Cassini Mission), the EIS evaluated in detail two other mission alternatives. The March 1999 alternative would have used two Shuttle flights with on-orbit integration of the spacecraft and upper stage, followed by injection of the spacecraft into a VEEGA trajectory to Saturn. Due to the long lead-time in developing and certifying the new upper stage that would be needed to implement it, this alternative is no longer considered reasonable. The other mission alternative considered in the EIS was the 2001 alternative which would use a Titan IV(SRMU)/Centaur to launch the spacecraft from CCAS in March 2001 on a Venus-Venus-Venus-Gravity-Assist trajectory. A backup opportunity in May 2002 would use a VEEGA trajectory. The 2001 alternative would require completing development and testing of a new high-performance rehenium engine for, as well as adding about 20 percent more propellant to, the spacecraft. Science returns from this alternative would meet the minimum acceptable level for the mission. The results from the safety risk analyses have recently become available. The FSEIS compares this recent best available information with that presented in the EIS. The FSEIS addresses the Proposed Action, the No-Action alternative, and the 2001 mission alternative (which is still available to NASA). Comments on the draft supplemental environmental impact statement were solicited from Federal, State and local agencies, organizations, and members of the general public through: (a) notices published in the Federal Register--NASA notice on April 9, 1997, (62 FR 17216) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notice on April 11, 1997, (62 FR 17810); and (b) direct mailings to interested parties. Comments received have been addressed in the FSEIS. Benita A. Cooper, Associate Administrator for Management Systems and Facilities. [FR Doc. 97-17404 Filed 7-2-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510-01-M ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [Federal Register: July 3, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 128)] [Notices] [Page 36081-36083] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr03jy97-96] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION [Notice 97-091] National Environmental Policy Act; X-33 Advanced Technology Demonstrator Vehicle Program AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ACTION: Notice of availability of the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the X-33 Advanced Technology Demonstrator Vehicle program. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and NASA policy and procedures (14 CFR part 1216 subpart 1216.3), NASA has prepared and issued a DEIS for Phase II of the X-33 Program, which involves the development and demonstration of the X-33 test vehicle. The DEIS addresses environmental issues associated with the preparation of the flight operations (launch) and landing sites and testing of the X-33 technology demonstrator spaceplane. The purpose of the proposed test program is to demonstrate the feasibility of technology which could result in commercially viable Reusable Launch (RLVs). The reasonable alternative launch sites are located within Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) near Lancaster, California. Reasonable alternative landing sites for segments of the flight test activities are located at Silurian Lake, near Baker, California; China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center, near Ridgecrest, California; Dugway Proving Grounds, near Tooele, Utah; Grant County Airport, Moses Lake, Washington; and Malmstrom AFB, Great Falls, Montana. NASA is the lead agency in the preparation of the environmental impact statement. Components of the U.S. Department of Defense; the U.S. [[Page 36082]] Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management; and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration are acting as cooperating agencies. DATES: Comments on the DEIS must be submitted in writing and received by NASA no later than August 18, 1997 or 45 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's notice of availability of the X-33 DEIS, whichever is later. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Dr. Rebecca C. McCaleb, NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, AE01/Building 4201, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812. In addition, written comments may be sent to Dr. McCaleb electronically at (X33EIS@msfc.nasa.gov) or by facsimile at 205-544-9259. The DEIS may be reviewed at the following locations: (a) NASA Headquarters, Library, Room 1J20, 300 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20546. (b) NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, Library, Building 4200, Huntsville, AL 35812. (c) NASA, Dryden Flight Research Center, Library, Building 4800, Room 2149, Edwards AFB, CA 93523. (d) NASA,Spaceport USA, Room 2001, John F. Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899. Please call Lisa Fowler beforehand at 407-867-2468 so that arrangements can be made. (e) Kern County Library, Boron Branch, 27070 Highway 5, Boron, CA 93516. (f) Kern County Library, Ridgecrest Branch, 131 East Las Flores Street, Ridgecrest, CA 93555. (g) Los Angeles County Library, Lancaster Branch, 1150 West Avenue J, Lancaster, CA 93524. (h) Palmdale City Library, 700 East Palmdale Boulevard, Palmdale, CA 93550. (i) San Bernadino County Library, Barstow Branch, 304 East Buena Vista, Barstow, CA 92311. (j) Great Falls Public Library, 301 2nd Avenue North, Great Falls, MT 59401. (k) Moses Lake Library, 418 East 5th Street, Moses Lake, WA 98837. (l) Dugway Proving Grounds Library, 5124 Kisstler Avenue, Dugway, UT 84022. (m) Tooele Library, 47 East Vine Street, Tooele, UT 84074. (n) Salt Lake City Library, 209 East 500 South, Business/Science Department, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. In addition, the DEIS may be examined at the following NASA locations by contacting the pertinent Freedom of Information Act Office: (o) NASA, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035 (415-604-4190). (p) NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771 (301-286- 0730). (q) Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA Resident Office, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 (818-354-5179). (r) NASA, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058 (713-483-8612). (s) NASA, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23665 (757-864-2497). (t) NASA, Lewis Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH 44135 (216-433-2222). (u) NASA, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 (601-688-2164). The DEIS can be found and accessed at the following internet address: http://eemo.msfc.nasa.gov/eemo/x33__eis. Limited copies of the DEIS are available, on a first request basis, by contacting Dr. Rebecca McCaleb at the address indicated above or Dr. Dominic Amatore by telephone at the number provided below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Dominic A. Amatore, Deputy Director, Public Affairs Office, Code CA01, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812, 205-544-6533. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The X-33 test vehicle is planned as an approximately one-half scale reusable spaceplane. The vehicle would launch vertically and land horizontally. The X-33 vehicle would consist of a lifting body airframe with two cryogenic liquid propellant tanks (liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX)) placed within the aeroshell, and would use two linear aerospike main engines. Water would be the primary product of the LOX/LH2 combustion. The entire spaceplane (with all fuel tanks and engines) would launch and land as a single unit. The flight test plan to meet the X-33 program objectives optimally involves flights of approximately 160, 720, and 1,530 kilometers (100, 450, and 950 miles). During the landing sequence, the spaceplane would be unpowered. Flight tests would involve speeds of up to Mach 15 and altitudes up to approximately 75,800 meters (250,000 feet). None of the X-33 test flights would achieve Earth orbit. Ground operations and servicing (e.g., checkout, refueling, etc.) would be conducted with ``aircraft like'' procedures and systems. The test flight program would be conducted in three stages, with all launches occurring from the same launch site. The three stages would involve the incremental increase of distance and speed, referred to as the ``flight envelope expansion,'' which allows the development program to minimize risk while achieving test objectives. The three stage approach would necessitate short- range, mid-range, and long-range landing sites to achieve speeds of March 4, 12, and 15, respectively. After each test flight, the X-33 would be ferried back to the flight operations site by a Boeing 747 aircraft in a manner similar to that used for the transport of Space Shuttle orbiters. The test program is currently planned for a combined total of 15 flights. Reasonable alternatives considered for this proposed action include: --Flight operations (launch) sites: (a) Edwards Air Force Base, California, Space Port 2000 site, and (b) Edwards Air Force Base, California, Haystack Butte site; --Short-range landing sites: (a) Armitage Airfield, China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center, California, and (b) Silurian Lake, a dry lake bed, north of Baker, California; --Mid-range landing sites: Michael Army Air Field, Dugway Proving Ground, Utah; --Long-range landing sites (may serve as an alternative mid-range landing site): (a) Malmstrom Air Force Base, Great Falls Montana, and (b) Grant County Airport, Moses Lake, Washington; and,--``No Action.'' The ``No Action'' alternative (i.e., absence of the X-33 Program) would mean that the RLV Program, as planned, could not proceed. The DEIS considers the potential environmental impacts associated with the test program and related construction/modification of facilities. Areas of focus include, but are not necessarily limited to: noise and sonic booms; flight safety; surface transportation impacts; effects on airspace and air traffic; wildlife and threatened and endangered species; and cultural resources. Public information meetings will be held at the following dates, times, and locations: (a) Monday, July 7, 1997; 7:00 p.m.; Washington, State National Guard Armory, 6500 32nd Avenue, N.E., Moses Lake, Washington 98837. (b) Tuesday, July 8, 1997; 6:00 p.m.; Great Falls High School, 1900 Second Avenue, South, Great Falls, Montana 59405. (c) Wednesday, July 9, 1997; 7:00 p.m.; Social Rehabilitative Services Auditorium, 111 Sanders Avenue, Helena, Montana 59601. (d) Thursday, July 10, 1997; 7:00 p.m.; University of Idaho/Idaho State University, 1776 Science Center Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402. [[Page 36083]] (e) Monday, July 14, 1997; 7:00 p.m.; US Army Dugway Proving Grounds, Old Post Headquarters, Building 5450, Command Conference Room, Dugway, Utah 84022. (f) Tuesday, July 15, 1997; 6:00 p.m.; Salt Lake City Public Library, Main Library Lecture Hall, 209 East 500 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111. (g) Wednesday, July 16, 1997; 7:00 p.m.; Tooele Senior Center, 59 East Vine Street, Tooele, Utah 84074. (h) Monday, July 21, 1997; 7:00 p.m.; Lancaster High School, 44701 32nd Street West, Lancaster, California 93536. (i) Tuesday, July 22, 1997; 7:00 p.m.; Boron High School, 26831 Prospect Street, Boron, California 93516. (j) Wednesday, July 23, 1997; 7:00 p.m.; Burroughs High School, 500 East French Street, Ridgecrest, California 93555. (k) Thursday, July 24, 1997; 7:00 p.m.; Baker Senior Citizen Center, 73730 Baker Blvd., Baker, California 92309. Benita A. Cooper, Associate Administrator for Management Systems and Facilities. [FR Doc. 97-17405 Filed 7-2-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510-01-M -----------------------------------------------------------------------