[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 47 (Friday, March 10, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12402-12403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3374]


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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice 06-016]


National Environmental Policy Act; Mars Science Laboratory 
Mission

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
and to conduct scoping for the Mars Science Laboratory 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 conduct scoping and prepare 
an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Mars Science Laboratory 
(MSL) mission. The purpose of this proposed mission would be to place a 
mobile science laboratory (rover) on the surface of Mars to assess the 
biological potential of at least one target environment, characterize 
the geology of the landing region, investigate planetary processes of 
relevance to past habitability, including the role of water, and 
characterize the broad spectrum of the surface radiation environment.
    The proposed MSL mission is currently planned for launch during 
September or October 2009 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station 
(CCAFS), Florida, onboard an expendable launch vehicle from either the 
Atlas V or Delta IV class of vehicles. The baseline mission plan would 
include the use of one multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric 
generator (MMRTG) for rover electrical power and could use several 
radioisotope heater units (RHUs) for thermal control of critical rover 
components while on the surface of Mars. Some science instruments may 
require the use of very small quantities of radioactive material for 
instrument calibration or for the conduct of an experiment. 
Environmental impacts to be considered in the EIS are those impacts 
associated with a normal launch from CCAFS, and radiological and non-
radiological risks associated with a launch accident.

DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit comments on 
environmental concerns in writing on or before April 24, 2006 to assure 
full consideration during the scoping process.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Mr. Mark R. Dahl, 
Solar System Division, Science Mission Directorate, Mail Suite 3X63, 
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: Mark R. Dahl, by telephone at 202-358-
4800 or by electronic mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NASA seeks to continue scientific 
investigations of Mars with a long-term landed mission to explore the 
planet's surface. On April 12, 2005, in the Federal Register (70 FR 
19102), NASA published the Notice of Availability for Final 
Programmatic EIS (PEIS) for the Mars Exploration Program (MEP). The 
Record of Decision (ROD) for the MEP PEIS was signed on June 22, 2005, 
enabling continued planning for the MEP, which represents NASA's 
overall plans for the robotic exploration of Mars through 2020. The 
PEIS for the MEP encompasses the launch of at least one spacecraft to 
Mars during each favorable launch opportunity, which occurs 
approximately every 26 months, including the MSL mission currently 
proposed for the 2009 launch opportunity. The MSL EIS will focus on 
reasonable alternatives to implement the purpose and need of the MSL 
mission and the potential environmental impacts associated with each.
    It is anticipated that the electrical requirements of the landed 
mission would require a radioisotope power source. This mission is 
proposing to use a single MMRTG to provide adequate power to operate 
the rover. As currently envisioned, some of the waste heat from the 
MMRTG could be used for temperature control of the rover electronics, 
science instruments, and other sensitive components. This waste heat 
may need to be supplemented with several RHUs.
    Alternatives to the Proposed Action addressed in this EIS will 
include, but are not limited to, (1) the use of alternative sources of 
on-board power and heat (including solar energy); and (2) the No Action 
Alternative.
    Building on the success of the two rovers that arrived at Mars in 
January 2004, NASA's proposed MSL mission is being planned for travel 
to Mars before the end of the decade. Larger than the Mars Exploration 
Rovers Spirit and Opportunity, the Mars Science Laboratory would 
analyze martian soil samples and rock cores for organic compounds and 
environmental conditions that could support microbial life now or in 
the past. The mission is anticipated to have international 
participation, including the Russian Federal Space Agency, the Spanish 
Ministry of Education and Science, the Canadian Space Agency, and the 
French Space Agency.
    Mars Science Laboratory is intended to use a guided landing 
technique, steering itself toward the martian surface. As currently 
envisioned, in the final minutes before touchdown, the spacecraft would 
activate its parachute and retro rockets before lowering the rover 
package to the surface on a tether. This landing method would enable 
the rover to land in an area 20 kilometers (12 miles) in diameter, 
three to five times smaller than previous landing zones on Mars.
    Like the Spirit and Opportunity rovers now on the surface of Mars, 
MSL would have six wheels and cameras mounted on a mast. MSL would have 
additional capability to collect and crush rock and soil samples and 
distribute them to on-board test chambers for detailed chemical 
analysis. Its design would include a suite of scientific instruments 
for identifying organic compounds such as proteins, amino acids, and 
other acids and bases that form complex carbon compounds and are 
essential to life as we know it. It could also identify features such 
as atmospheric gases that

[[Page 12403]]

may be associated with biological activity.
    Using these tools, MSL would examine martian rocks and soils in 
greater detail than ever before to determine the geologic processes 
that formed them; study the martian atmosphere; and determine the 
distribution and circulation of water and carbon dioxide, whether 
frozen, liquid, or gaseous.
    NASA plans to select a landing site on the basis of highly detailed 
images sent to Earth by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter beginning in 
the fall of 2006, in addition to data from earlier missions.
    The MSL EIS will address the purpose and need for the proposed MSL 
mission in detail and the environmental impacts associated with its 
implementation. The environmental impacts of this mission are 
anticipated to be those associated with the normal launch of the 
mission. Potential consequences of accident situations will also be 
addressed. Environmental issues to be addressed will include, but not 
necessarily be limited to air quality, radiological effects, water 
quality, and flora and fauna.
    Written public input and comments on alternatives and potential 
environmental impacts and concerns associated with the proposed Mars 
Science Laboratory mission are hereby requested.

Olga M. Dominguez,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Infrastructure and Administration.
[FR Doc. E6-3374 Filed 3-9-06; 8:45 am]
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