[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 168 (Friday, August 29, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 45879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23111]


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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice 97-127]


National Environmental Policy Act; Notice of Cassini Mission 
Record Decision

    In furtherance of the Council on Environmental Quality regulation 
at 40 CFR 1505.2 and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
(NASA) regulation at 14 CFR 1216.311, public notice is hereby provided 
that on August 12, 1997, a Record of Decision (ROD) was rendered 
pertaining to the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) 
for the Cassini Mission to Saturn. While the ROD completes the National 
Environmental Policy Act process, the ``Go/No-Go'' decision for launch 
of the Cassini spacecraft will not be made until all of the mission and 
flight readiness reviews are completed.
    By way of background, in July 1995, NASA issued a Final 
Environmental Impact Statement, dated June 1995. In April 1997, the 
Draft SEIS was made available to the public. NASA responded to the 
comments on the Draft SEIS and issued the Final SEIS on June 27, 1997, 
with publication of the notice of availability of the Final SEIS on 
July 3, 1997. The prescribed 30-day waiting period ended on August 4, 
1997. Five comment letters (1 Federal agency, 4 individuals) were 
received on the Final SEIS. The comments were evaluated and determined 
not to present significant new information or data relevant to 
environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action or its 
environmental impacts.
    After consideration of all of the information, as updated in the 
final SEIS, the alternatives evaluated, public comments received, and 
other technical and programmatic factors, the decision (documented in 
the ROD) is the selection of the preferred alternative. This 
alternative consists of completing preparations for the Cassini Mission 
to Saturn, launching the spacecraft on a Titan IV (SRMU)/Centaur from 
the U.S. Air Force Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, and operating 
the mission. The launch is planned to take place during the primary 
launch opportunity beginning in early October 1997, with a secondary 
opportunity beginning in late November 1997 and a backup opportunity 
beginning in March 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Mark R. Dahl, NASA Headquarters, Code SD, Washington, DC 20546-
0001; telephone 202-358-1544.
Benita A. Cooper,
Associate Administrator for Management Systems and Facilities.
[FR Doc. 97-23111 Filed 8-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7510-01-M