[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 234 (Wednesday, December 6, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62480-62481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-29609]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice 95108]


National Environmental Policy Act; International Space Station

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Notice of availability of Tier 2 draft environmental impact 
statement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Tier 2 draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the 
International Space Station (ISS). The proposed action by NASA is to 
continue to provide U.S. participation in the assembly and operation of 
the ISS. This Tier 2 DEIS addresses changes to the Space Station 
Program and potential environmental impacts that could not be addressed 
in detail at the time of the Tier 1 final environmental impact 
statement (FEIS). These factors include modifications to the Space 
Station itself, its assembly and operation, and an assessment of the 
probability and consequences of reentry into Earth's atmosphere.

DATE: Comments on the Tier 2 DEIS must be submitted in writing to NASA 
on or before January 22, 1996, 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 ISS Tier 2 DEIS.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Mr. David Ruszczyk, 
NASA Johnson Space Center, Code OF, Houston, Texas, 77058-3696. The 
Tier 2 DEIS may be reviewed at the following locations:
    (a) NASA Headquarters, Library, Room 1J20, 300 E street SW, 
Washington DC 20546.
    (b) NASA, Johnson Space Center, Building 111, Industry Assistance 
Office, Houston, TX 77058.
    (c) Spaceport U.S.A., Room 2001, John F. Kennedy Space Center, FL 
32899. Please call Lisa Fowler beforehand at 407-867-2468 so that 
arrangements can be made.
    In addition, the Tier 2 DEIS may be reviewed at the following NASA 
locations by contracting the pertinent Freedom of Information Act 
Office:

[[Page 62481]]

    (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, Goodard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771 (301-
286-0730).
    (g) Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Visitors Lobby, Building 249, 4800 
Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 (818-354-5179).
    (h) NASA, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23665 (804-864-
6125).
    (i) NASA, Lewis Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, 
OH 44135 (216-433-2313).
    (j) NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812 (205-544-5252).
    (k) NASA, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 (601-688-2164).
    Limited copies of the Tier 2 DEIS are available, on a first request 
basis, by contacting David Ruszczyk at the address or telephone number 
indicated herein.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Ruszczyk, 713-244-7756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NASA issued the Final Tier 1 Environmental 
Impact Statement for Space Station Freedom, in March 1991 (the ``Tier 1 
FEIS'') followed by the associated Record of Decision to proceed with 
full-scale design and development of the concept known as Space Station 
Freedom.
    At the time the Tier 1 FEIS was prepared, detailed design 
information was not available. As a consequence, some issues relating 
to the potential environmental effects of Space Station Freedom were 
deferred to the Tier 2 environmental impact statement. These issues 
included the impacts of any significant design modifications that might 
be incorporated as the design matured, and a quantitative analysis of 
the probability and consequences of inadvertent reentry into the 
Earth's atmosphere during assembly and operation. Other issues that 
were deferred included venting of nontoxic gases during operation and 
change to a hydrazine propulsion system.
    On March 9, 1993, the President directed NASA to undertake a 
redesign of the Space Station Program in such a manner that reductions 
in the projected costs of Space Station Freedom could be realized. The 
result was the current ISS, which involves design modifications and 
agreements to include Russia as a partner.
    The proposed action considered in this Tier 2 DEIS is to continue 
to provide U.S. participation in the implementation of assembly and 
operation of the ISS. The Tier 2 DEIS considers the alternative to the 
proposed action, the ``No-Action'' alternative (i.e., cancellation of 
U.S. participation in the ISS).
    Significant design changes that have occurred since the Tier 1 FEIS 
include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: the number 
of research laboratories has been increased from three to six; the 
number of logistics modules has been increased from one to two; the 
pressurized volume has been almost doubled; the crew size has been 
increased from four to six; and the orbital inclination has been 
changed from 28.5 degrees to 51.6 degrees, improving access by Russian 
launch vehicles and additional mission control capabilities. Assembly 
of the ISS contemplates 27 NASA Shuttle launches (reduced from 29), 15 
Russian launches, 1 European Space Agency launch, and 1 launch of a 
vehicle yet to be determined. This would increase the total number of 
launches through completion of assembly from 32 to 44. Accordingly, 
resupply flights to the completed ISS will now include Russian as well 
as NASA flights; whereas Space Station Freedom was to be resupplied 
exclusively by NASA Space Shuttle flights.
    The design of the ISS has progressed to the point where it is now 
possible to conduct a quantitative analysis of the probability and 
consequences of inadvertent reentry into the Earth's atmosphere. The 
Tier 2 DEIS assesses the probabilities and potential impacts associated 
with inadvertent reentry, and addresses potential decommissioning 
options, including the plan presented in the Tier 1 FEIS. Other issues 
addressed in the Tier 2 DEIS include the following: the cumulative 
effects of the U.S. launches associated with the assembly and operation 
of the ISS, the change to the Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine/Nitrogen 
Tetroxide propulsion system, and the venting and outgassing of nontoxic 
gases from the ISS. The Tier 2 DEIS addresses environmental effects on 
the United States and the integrated ISS impacts on the global commons.

    Dated: November 28, 1995.
Benita A. Cooper,
Associate Administrator for Management Systems and Facilities.
[FR Doc. 95-29609 Filed 12-5-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7510-01-M