National Environmental Policy Act; Final Environmental Assessment for Launch of NASA Routine Payloads on Expendable Launch Vehicles

[Federal Register: June 18, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 117)]

[Notices]

[Page 41525-41527]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18jn02-114]

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice (02-075)]

National Environmental Policy Act; Final Environmental Assessment for Launch of NASA Routine Payloads on Expendable Launch Vehicles from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Florida and Vandenberg Air Force Base California

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Finding of No Significant Impact.

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 (CEQ) 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 made a Finding
of No Significant Impact (FONSI) with respect to the proposed Launch of
NASA Routine Payloads on Expendable Launch Vehicles from Cape Canaveral nvaAAir Force Station (CCAFS), Florida, and Vandenberg Air Force Base
(VAFB), California, during the period 2002 through 2012. Spacecraft
that are designated NASA routine payloads would meet the criteria
described by a Routine Payload Checklist (RPC) to ensure that the
spacecraft, their launch and operations, and their decommissioning
would not present any new or substantial environmental and safety
concerns. If a candidate mission were to exceed the specific RPC
criteria, further environmental review would be required. This FONSI
also includes three individual science missions that meet the RPC
criteria and are described in the associated Final Environmental
Assessment (Final EA): the Comet Nucleus Tour (CONTOUR) mission, which
would launch on a Delta II 2425 from CCAFS, Florida, in July 2002, the
Mercury Surface Space Environment, Geochemistry, and Ranging
(MESSENGER) mission, which would launch on a Delta II 2925H-9.5 from
CCAFS in March 2004, and the Deep Impact mission, which would launch on
a Delta II 2925 from CCAFS in January 2004.

DATES: This action is effective as of June 18, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The Final EA may be reviewed at the locations listed under
the supplementary information in this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark R. Dahl, Program Executive, NASA
Headquarters, Code SM, Washington, DC 20546 or at (202)-358-4800. The
Final EA is also available in Acrobat[reg] format at http://
spacescience.nasa.gov/admin/pubs/routine–EA/index.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NASA initiated a 30-day public review and
comment period for the Draft Environmental Assessment for Launch of
NASA Routine Payloads on Expendable Launch Vehicles from Cape Canaveral
Air Force Station Florida and Vandenberg Air Force Base California (67
FR 11518-11519, March 14, 2002). Comments and responses are compiled in
a new Appendix D of, and text changes were incorporated in the Final EA
where appropriate. NASA has reviewed the Final EA and has determined
that it represents an accurate and adequate analysis of the scope and
level of associated environmental impacts. The Final EA is incorporated
by reference in this FONSI.

NASA proposes to launch a variety of scientific missions that are
designated NASA routine payloads on expendable launch vehicles (ELVs).
The spacecraft and their associated launches (i.e., missions) would be
considered to be routine if they would present no new or substantial
environmental impacts, and their design and characteristics would not
exceed the specific criteria described by the RPC. Such missions are
referred to as NASA routine payload spacecraft. Once a sufficiently
detailed design concept is proposed for a NASA science mission, NASA
would evaluate the proposed design against the RPC to determine if the
proposed design is within the definition of a routine payload as
described in the Final EA. The RPC includes an envelope spacecraft
description, which includes flight components, materials and associated
quantities, and flight systems representing a comprehensive bounding
reference design for routine payload spacecraft. A proposed spacecraft
that presents equal or lesser values of potentially hazardous materials
or sources in comparison to the envelope spacecraft description may be
considered NASA routine payload spacecraft. If the mission were to be
defined as a routine payload following an evaluation against the
envelope spacecraft description, this finding would be documented by
processing a Record of Environmental Consideration (REC) in accordance
with NASA’s procedures and guidelines, citing this Final EA. If the
proposed mission were to be found to be inconsistent with the NASA
routine payload categorization, plans would begin for consideration of
additional environmental documentation.

Routine payload spacecraft would be placed into Earth orbit or into
Earth-escape trajectories (i.e., solar orbit) using one of a group of
ELVs routinely launched from CCAFS, Florida, and VAFB, California. The
use of these ELVs and launch sites for the launch of the routine
payload spacecraft has been analyzed and is within the scope of
existing NEPA documents for operations at these launch facilities. The
specific ELV and trajectory selected for a particular mission would
depend on the specific mission objectives and requirements for that
routine payload mission. Routine payload spacecraft final assembly,
propellant loading, and checkout of payload systems would be performed
at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida, (launch processing center
for NASA spacecraft to be launched at CCAFS) or VAFB and their
associated payload processing facilities. The spacecraft would then be
transported to an existing space launch complex at VAFB or CCAFS where
it would be integrated with the launch vehicle. Due to varying payload
weights and mission specific requirements, NASA routine payload
spacecraft may require different launch vehicles.

The ELVs proposed for launching the routine payload spacecraft
represent domestic (U.S.) ELVs that would be suitable for launching the
routine payload spacecraft, potentially be available during the 2002-
2012 period, have documented environmental impacts, and utilize
existing launch facilities. The ELVs included in this action are the
Atlas series, Delta series, Taurus, Athena series, Pegasus XL, and
Titan II. These launch vehicles would accommodate the desired range of
payload masses, provide the needed trajectory capabilities, and provide
highly reliable launch services. Individual ELVs would be carefully
matched to the launch requirements of each particular routine payload
spacecraft.

The launch vehicles selected for summary in the Final EA are the
Atlas V (largest solids from CCAFS), Delta IV (largest solids from
VAFB), Delta II 2925 (largest hypergolic propellant load from CCAFS),
and the Titan II (largest hypergolic propellant load from VAFB). These
ELVs represent the largest expected impact to the human environment
associated with the proposed action. For normal launches, the
environmental impacts would be associated with exhaust emissions from
the launch vehicles. The primary exhaust emissions produced by the
solid propellant and first stage include carbon monoxide, hydrochloric
acid, aluminum oxide in soluble and insoluble forms, carbon dioxide,
and deluge water mixed with propellant by-products. The primary
emission products from the liquid engines include carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide, water vapor, oxides of nitrogen, and carbon
particulates. Air impacts will be short-term and not substantial.
Short-term water quality and noise impacts, as well as short-term
effects on wetlands, plants, and animals, would occur in the vicinity
of the launch complex. These short-term impacts are of a nature to be
self-correcting, and none of these effects would be substantial. There
would be no impacts on threatened or endangered species or critical
habitat, cultural resources, wetlands, or floodplains. Launch accident
scenarios have also been addressed and indicate no potential for
substantial environmental impact to the human environment. The launch
of NASA routine payloads on expendable launch vehicles would not
increase launch rates at CCAFS and VAFB above existing or previously
approved and documented levels.

Alternatives to the proposed action that were evaluated include:

(1) Utilizing a foreign launch vehicle or, (2) NASA would not launch
spacecraft missions defined as routine payloads (the “no action”
alternative). The nature of environmental impacts, payload processing,
launch sites, and other related information for foreign launch systems
is generally not as well known or as well documented as for launches
from the U. S., and would require additional review and environmental
documentation. In addition, U.S. Government policy (NASA Policy
Directive NPD 8610.7) requires that the launch of U.S. Government-
sponsored spacecraft utilize all reasonable sources of U.S. launch
services. Therefore, foreign launch vehicles were not considered
reasonable alternatives for the use of routine payload spacecraft. The
No-Action alternative would mean that NASA would then propose
spacecraft missions for individualized review under NEPA. Duplicate
analyses and redundant documentation for missions that would otherwise
meet the RPC criteria would not present any new information or identify
any substantially different environmental impacts.

NASA routine payload spacecraft would follow the NASA guidelines
regarding orbital debris and minimizing the risk of human casualty for
uncontrolled reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere. None of the NASA
routine payload missions covered under the Final EA will have
radioactive materials aboard the spacecraft, except for the possibility
of very small quantities, limited to the approval authority level of
the NASA Office of Safety and Mission Assurance, Nuclear Flight Safety
Assurance Manager, used on certain missions typically for
instrumentation purposes. Consequently, no potential adverse impacts
from radioactive substances are anticipated. The RPC provides a set of
questions that must be addressed in determining whether or not a
proposed future NASA routine payload mission falls within the scope of
the Final EA and this FONSI. No other individual or cumulative impacts
of environmental concern have been identified.

The CONTOUR mission would send a spacecraft to flyby at least two
short-period comets Encke and Schwassmann-Wachmann 3. Four instruments
would image and spectrally map portions of the comet nucleus and
measure the composition of gas and dust particles surrounding the
comet. The CONTOUR spacecraft would be launched from CCAFS on a Delta
II 2425 during July 2002. Several Earth gravity-assist flybys would be
used to shape CONTOUR’s trajectory toward the comet encounters. The
CONTOUR mission meets the RPC criteria and the launch of the Delta II
2425 launch vehicle is within the previously approved and permitted
launch rates. The MESSENGER mission would place a spacecraft in orbit
around the planet Mercury. Eight instruments would study Mercury’s
internal structure, composition, geology, atmosphere, magnetic field,
and interaction with the solar wind. The MESSENGER spacecraft would be
launched from CCAFS on a Delta II 2925H-9.5 during March 2004 into a
direct interplanetary trajectory. The MESSENGER mission meets the RPC
criteria and the launch of the Delta II 2925H-9.5 launch vehicle is
within the previously approved and permitted launch rates. The Deep
Impact mission would investigate the physical and chemical
characteristics of the comet Temple I by excavating a large crater in
the comet’s surface using a high-velocity copper impactor. The Deep
Impact spacecraft would carry the impactor and high and medium
resolution instrument to collect multi-spectral images of the comet’s
surface before and after the impactor’s collision. After completion of
the Temple I encounter, the flyby spacecraft will remain in solar
orbit. The Deep Impact spacecraft would be launched from CCAFS on a
Delta II 2925 during January 2004. The Deep Impact mission meets the
RPC criteria and the launch of the Delta II 2925 launch vehicle is within the previously approved and permitted launch rates.

The level and scope of environmental impacts associated with the
launch of NASA routine payload spacecraft are well within the envelope
of impacts that have been addressed in previous FONSIs concerning other
launch vehicles and spacecraft. NASA routine payload spacecraft would
not increase launch rates nor utilize launch systems beyond the scope
of approved programs at VAFB or CCAFS. No NASA routine payload specific
processing or launch activities have been identified that would require
new permits and/or mitigation measures beyond those currently in place
or in coordination at VAFB and CCAFS. No significant new circumstances
or information relevant to environmental concerns associated with the
launch vehicle have been identified which would affect the earlier
findings. As specific spacecraft and missions are fully defined, they
will be reviewed against the RPC and the Final EA. If NASA determines
that future payloads have the potential for substantially different
environmental impacts, further environmental reviews will be conducted
and documented, as appropriate. On the basis of the Final EA, NASA has
determined that the environmental impacts associated with the proposed
action and the specified missions identified as within the scope of the
Final EA would not individually or cumulatively have a significant
impact on the quality of the human environment.

The Final EA may be reviewed at the following locations:

(a) NASA Headquarters, Library, Room 1J20, 300 E Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20546 (202-358-0167).

(b) Spaceport USA, Room 2001, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899. Please call Penny Myers beforehand at 321-867-9280 so that
arrangements can be made.

(c) Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Visitors Lobby, Building 249, 4800
Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 (818-354-5179).

(d) Vandenberg Air Force Base, Technical Library, Building 7015,
806 13th Street, Vandenberg AFB, CA 93437.

The Final EA may also be examined at the following NASA Centers by
contacting the appropriate Freedom of Information Act Office:

(e) NASA, Ames Research Center, Moffet Field, CA 94035 (650-604-
1181).

(f) NASA, Dryden Flight Research Center, P.O. Box 273, Edwards, CA
93523 (661-258-3689).

(g) NASA, Glenn Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland,
OH 44135 (216-433-2755).

(h) NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771 (301-
286-6255).

(i) NASA, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058 (281-483-8612).

(j) NASA, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23681 (757-864-
2497).

(k) NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL 35812 (256-
544-1837).

(l) NASA, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 (228-688-2164).

A limited number of hard copies of the Final EA are available for
persons wishing a copy by contacting Mr. Dahl, at the address or
telephone number indicated herein.

Edward J. Weiler,
Associate Administrator for Space Science.
Ghassem R. Asrar,
Associate Administrator for Earth Science.