[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 145 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43930-43931]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14972]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation; 
Notice of availability and request for comment on a Draft Programmatic 
Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for Horizontal Launch and Reentry 
of Reentry Vehicles

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Associate Administrator 
for Commercial Space Transportation (AST) is the lead Federal agency 
for the development of this PEIS.

ACTION: Notice of Availability and Request for Comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
regulations, the FAA is announcing the availability of and requesting 
comments on the Draft PEIS for Horizontal Launch and Reentry of Reentry 
Vehicles. Under the proposed action, the FAA would license the launch 
of horizontally launched vehicles and the reentry of reentry vehicles 
(RVs). The FAA has evaluated three horizontal launch vehicle (LV) 
design concepts and both powered and unpowered RV concepts. This PEIS 
assesses the potential programmatic environmental effects of licensing 
horizontal launches and reentries of RVs, as well as the licensing of 
launch facilities that would support horizontal launches and reentries. 
The information in the PEIS is not intended to address all site-
specific launch issues. This PEIS will be used to tier subsequent 
environmental analyses for site-specific launches, reentries, or the 
operation of a launch or reentry site. To facilitate these site-
specific environmental analyses the FAA has provided guidance 
throughout the PEIS in various sections and technical appendices. This 
PEIS is intended to update and replace the 1992 Final PEIS for 
Commercial Reentry Vehicles and complement the 2001 PEIS for Licensing 
Launches.

DATES: The public comment period for the NEPA process begins with the 
publication of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's notice in the 
Federal Register. To ensure that all comments can be addressed in the 
Final PEIS, comments must be received by the FAA no later than 
September 12, 2005. The FAA has developed a public participation Web 
site (http://ast.faa.gov/lrra/PEIS_Site.htm), where the public can 
submit comments electronically. Materials on the web site include a 
downloadable electronic version of the Draft PEIS; information about 
licensing and the NEPA process; frequently asked questions; and a 
public comment form. Public hearings may be requested by organizations 
or individuals that feel their concerns cannot be met through the 
available opportunities to comment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Written and oral comments regarding 
the Draft PEIS should be submitted to, Mr. Doug Graham, FAA 
Environmental Specialist, FAA PEIS, c/o ICF Consulting, 9300 Lee 
Highway, Fairfax,

[[Page 43931]]

VA 22031; e-mail [email protected]; phone (703) 934-3950; fax 
(703) 934-3951; or through an online comment form available at http://ast.faa.gov/lrra/PEIS_info_resources.htm.
    Additional Information: The proposed action is for the FAA to issue 
licenses for the launch of horizontally launched vehicles and the 
reentry of RVs, as well as the licensing of facilities that would 
support horizontal launches and reentries. The FAA exercises licensing 
authority in accordance with the Commercial Space Launch Act and 
Commercial Space Transportation Licensing Regulations, 14 CFR Ch. III, 
which authorize the FAA to license the launch of an LV or the reentry 
of an RV when conducted within the U.S. and those operated by U.S. 
citizens abroad. The scope of the PEIS includes launches on orbital and 
suborbital trajectories from both existing government launch facilities 
and nonfederal launch sites in the U.S. and abroad.
    The FAA identified three types of LVs, called out in this analysis 
as Concept 1, Concept 2, and Concept 3, which would be typical of the 
vehicles that would operate within the activities specified in this 
PEIS. Additionally, both powered and unpowered RV concepts are 
considered in this analysis. This PEIS may be used to tier subsequent 
environmental documentation that the FAA would use to make a 
determination about licensing the launches and reentries of the 
aforementioned types of LVs and RVs. Additional environmental analysis 
would need to be conducted for any activity that is not addressed in 
this Draft PEIS or in previous environmental analyses.
    Launch vehicles included in Concept 1 would use jet-powered take 
off with subsequent rocket ignition, and conduct a powered horizontal 
landing. These LVs would take off from conventional runways using jet 
power, and then ignite rocket engines at a specified altitude. The LV 
would use either suborbital or orbital trajectories depending on the 
mission. During descent, jet engines would be restarted at a specified 
altitude and the vehicle would fly to a powered, horizontal landing at 
a designated location.
    Launch vehicles included in Concept 2 would use rocket powered take 
off and flight, and a non-powered horizontal landing. The rocket motors 
would be ignited while the LV is on the runway. After takeoff, the LV 
would follow a steep ascent trajectory that could be suborbital or 
orbital. The vehicle would not use powered descent but would glide to a 
horizontal landing at a designated location.
    Launch vehicles included in Concept 3 would be carried aloft via 
assist aircraft with subsequent rocket ignition, and would conduct a 
non-powered horizontal landing. The vehicle would be comprised of an 
assist aircraft, such as a carrier or tow aircraft, and an LV, which 
would range from 9 to 46 meters (30 to 150 feet) in length. Depending 
on the design configuration, the LV could be attached to the top, mated 
to the underside, or tethered to the assist aircraft. After taking off 
on a horizontal runway, the LV would be released from the assist 
aircraft and rocket engines on the LV would be fired. The assist 
aircraft would make a powered horizontal landing after releasing the 
LV. The LV trajectory could be either orbital or suborbital. The LV 
would not use powered descent but would glide to a horizontal landing 
at a designated location.
    Reentry vehicle concepts include both unpowered and powered 
vehicles. Once an unpowered RV concept enters Earth's atmosphere, it 
would glide, deploy a parachute or parafoil, and descend to the Earth's 
surface. Once a powered RV concept enters Earth's atmosphere, a 
propulsion system would be used to control descent and direct the RV to 
a landing site. Both RV concepts could be oriented vertically or 
horizontally during reentry and subsequent landing. The design and size 
of the RV dictates whether descent would be powered or unpowered. Some 
RVs would descend using a combination of unpowered and powered methods. 
For example, a rocket engine would be fired to slow initial descent, 
then a parachute would be deployed and finally when the RV is close to 
Earth's surface rocket engines would be fired for a final touch down.
    Three alternatives to the proposed action were considered in the 
Draft PEIS. The first alternative would be to issue licenses for 
orbital Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLVs) using unpowered reentry and 
landing only. The second alternative would be to issue licenses to 
orbital RLVs using powered reentry and landing only. The third 
alternative would be to issue licenses of horizontal launches of RLVs 
where full rocket engine ignition occurs at or above 914 meters (3,000 
feet). Under the No Action Alternative, the FAA would not issue 
licenses for the horizontal launch of LVs and reentry of RVs, as well 
as the operation of launch and reentry sites for such activities.
    Potential impacts of the proposed action and alternatives were 
analyzed in the Draft PEIS. Potential environmental impacts of 
successful launches include impacts to the atmosphere, airspace, 
biological resources, cultural resources, public health and safety, 
hazardous materials and hazardous waste, geology and soils, land use, 
noise, socioeconomics, environmental justice, section 4(f) resources, 
orbital debris, aesthetic and visual resources, and water resources. 
The impacts of the No Action Alternative would be the same as those 
described for the affected environment in the Draft PEIS.
    Potential cumulative impacts of the proposed action are also 
addressed in the Draft PEIS.

    Dated: July 20, 2005.
John Sloan,
Acting Manager, Space Systems Development Division.
[FR Doc. 05-14972 Filed 7-28-05; 8:45 am]
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