[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 194 (Wednesday, October 7, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 53938]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26809]



[[Page 53938]]

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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice 98-136]


National Environmental Policy Act; Europa Orbiter Mission

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
and conduct scoping for the Europa Orbiter mission.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as 
amended (NEPA) (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 intends to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for NASA's Europa Orbiter mission. The EIS will 
address the environmental impacts associated with launching and 
operating the mission.
    The Europa Orbiter mission is currently proposed to launch in 
November 2003 or December 2004 from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 
an orbital mission around Jupiter's icy moon Europa. The launch date 
would be affected by the launch date for NASA's proposed Pluto-Kuiper 
Express mission. Concurrent with the publication of this notice of 
intent (NOI), NASA is publishing an NOI to prepare an EIS for the 
Pluto-Kuiper Express mission. Environmental impacts to be considered in 
the EIS are those impacts associated with a normal launch from Kennedy 
Space Center, and the potential radiological and non-radiological risks 
of the mission. The baseline plan for the Europa Orbiter mission would 
include the use of a Radioisotope Power System (RPS) and approximately 
50 Radioisotope Heater Units (RHU's).

DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit written comments to 
NASA on or before November 23, 1998, to assure full consideration 
during the scoping process.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Mr. David Lavery, 
Advanced Technology and Mission Studies Division, Code SM, NASA 
Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546-0001. While hard copy comments are 
preferred, comments by electronic mail may be sent to: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Lavery, 202-358-1109; 
electronic mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NASA's Space Science Program seeks to 
investigate the mysteries of the Universe, explore the Solar System, 
find planets around other stars, and search for life beyond Earth. The 
Europa Orbiter mission would cast light on our search for the chemical 
and biological origins of life, and broaden our knowledge of our Solar 
System. Hydrothermal zones on Earth have been shown to harbor life and 
may represent the type of environment in which life might have arisen 
on Earth. If there is (or once was) an ocean and related volcanism on 
Europa, as suggested by results from NASA's Galileo Jupiter orbiter 
mission, then the Europa Orbiter mission may lead to the discovery of 
life beyond Earth.
    The science goals of the Europa Orbiter and Pluto-Kuiper Express 
missions are independent. The implementation of either mission has no 
effect on the need for and implementation of the other mission other 
than logistical timing factors.
    The Europa Orbiter spacecraft is currently proposed to launch in 
November of 2003 or December of 2004 from Kennedy Space Center, 
Florida, on an orbital mission around Jupiter's icy moon Europa. The 
currently proposed spacecraft and mission design would probably require 
the use of the Space Shuttle with an Inertial Upper Stage and one or 
more additional solid rocket stage(s) to launch the Europa Orbiter. The 
proposed trajectory would involve a direct flight and not require any 
planetary gravity assist maneuvers.
    If the mission utilizes an RPS, it is anticipated that, due to 
relatively low spacecraft electrical power requirements and a potential 
for improved power system efficiency, the spacecraft would carry 
substantially less radioactive material (plutonium dioxide) than used 
in a single ``conventional'' radioisotope thermoelectric generator.
    If an RPS is used, some of the waste heat from the RPS could warm 
temperature-critical elements such as propulsion components, the 
propellant tanks, and electronics in the spacecraft body. However, 
since the spacecraft would be operating very far from the Sun RPS waste 
heat alone may not provide adequate heating for all spacecraft 
components. Therefore, in addition to the RPS, the Europa Orbiter 
mission is considering the use of approximately 50 RHU's.
    Alternatives to be considered in this EIS include, but are not 
necessarily limited to, the (1) use of alternative sources of on-board 
power (including solar); (2) alternative launch vehicles and launch 
sites; (3) alternative trajectories and launch dates; and (4) not 
undertaking the mission or ``no-action.''
    The EIS will consider the potential environmental impacts 
associated with the normal launch and operation of the spacecraft, and 
accident situations.
    Written public input and comments on environmental impacts and 
concerns associated with the proposed mission are hereby solicited.
Jeffrey E. Sutton,
Associate Administrator for Management Systems and Facilities.
[FR Doc. 98-26809 Filed 10-6-98; 8:45 am]
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