[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 139 (Thursday, July 20, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41260-41261]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11522]


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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice 06-046]


National Environmental Policy Act; Crew Exploration Vehicle

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment 
(EA) for the Development of the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV).

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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 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 Draft EA for the 
Development of the CEV. The Proposed Action is to develop a new human-
rated space vehicle, the CEV, which would be the U.S. vehicle to 
transport humans to Low-Earth Orbit and to the International Space 
Station, Moon, Mars, and to destinations beyond. The Draft EA addresses 
the potential environmental impacts associated with the development of 
the CEV, including its design, component fabrication, and assembly. 
However, it does not cover flight testing and operation of the CEV, 
which will be the subject of future NEPA documentation. The only 
alternative to the Proposed Action discussed in detail is the No Action 
Alternative where NASA would not develop the CEV.
    The CEV would be able to transport up to six humans and cargo to 
space after the Space Shuttle is retired, which is currently scheduled 
to occur no later than 2010. First human flight involving the CEV is 
planned for no later than 2014 with initial access to Low-Earth Orbit 
and to the International Space Station. Human missions to the Moon are 
planned for no later than 2020 with missions to Mars and other 
destinations in the following decades. The CEV would likely be launched 
from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

DATES: Written comments on the Draft EA must be received by NASA on or 
before August 21, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Mr. Mario Busacca, 
Mail Stop: TA-C3, Lead, Planning and Special Projects, Environmental 
Program Office, NASA, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899. Although hardcopy 
comments are preferred, comments may be sent by electronic mail to 
Mario Busacca at [email protected] or by facsimile at 321-867-
8040.
    The Draft EA can be reviewed at the following NASA locations:
    (a) NASA Headquarters, Library, Room 1J20, 300 E Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20546-0001;
    (b) Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Visitors Lobby, Building 249, 4800 
Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109.
    Hard copies of the Draft EA also may be reviewed at other NASA 
Centers (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below).
    Limited hard copies of the Draft EA are available, on a first 
request basis, by contacting Mr. Mario Busacca at the address or 
telephone number indicated below. The Draft EA is also available at 
http://exploration.nasa.gov/documents/cev_draftea.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mario Busacca, Mail Stop: TA-C3, Lead, 
Planning and Special Projects Environmental Program Office, NASA, 
Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899; telephone 321-867-8456, electronic mail 
[email protected], or facsimile 321-867-8040.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In his January 14, 2004 address to the 
Nation, President George W. Bush announced a new vision for space 
exploration. In pursuing this new vision, NASA has been tasked with 
developing the spacecraft, launch vehicles, and related technologies 
necessary to travel and explore the solar system. The CEV represents an 
important building block in this future exploration architecture.
    The CEV, an Apollo-like capsule, would consist of a Crew Module, a 
Service Module, and a Launch Escape System. If NASA proceeds with CEV 
development, the Agency would contract with a commercial firm to serve 
as the prime contractor, with specific design, component fabrication, 
and assembly activities to be clarified as the CEV Project matures. CEV 
development activities would occur at multiple NASA facilities 
including, but not necessarily limited to, Johnson Space Center in 
Houston, Texas; Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California; 
Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama; Glenn Research 
Center in Cleveland, Ohio; Langley Research Center in Hampton, 
Virginia; and Kennedy Space Center; and at yet to be named commercial 
facilities throughout the United States. These activities would be 
expected to be consistent with each facility's mission statement and 
scope of normal operations.
    Environmental impacts associated with the development of the CEV 
would be expected to be minor (i.e., within the permitted quantities of 
airborne emissions, waterborne effluents, and waste disposal at each of 
the involved facilities) and consequently both the short- and long-term 
environmental impacts are expected to be within the limits of all 
applicable environmental statutes, regulations, permits, and licenses. 
No adverse impact on the local infrastructure (e.g., utilities, 
roadways) near the involved facilities is anticipated. There should be 
little incremental impact on employment levels at the facilities 
involved in CEV development. Thus little or no

[[Page 41261]]

incremental socioeconomic impacts to regional economies are 
anticipated.
    The Draft EA may be examined at the following NASA locations by 
contacting the pertinent Freedom of Information Office:
    (a) NASA, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035 (650-604-
3273);
    (b) NASA, Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA 93523 (661-
276-2704);
    (c) NASA, Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH 44135 (216-433-
2755);
    (d) NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771 (301-
286-4721);
    (e) NASA, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058 (281-483-8612);
    (f) NASA, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899 (321-867-2745);
    (g) NASA, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23681 (757-864-
2497);
    (h) NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL 35812 (256-
544-1837); and
    (i) NASA, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 (228-688-2118).
    If and when developed, the CEV would undergo testing and flight 
certification prior to operational use. These actions would be the 
subject of future NEPA documentation.
    Written public input and comments on alternatives and environmental 
issues and concerns associated with the development of the CEV are 
hereby requested.

Olga M. Dominguez,
Assistant Administrator for Infrastructure and Administration.
[FR Doc. E6-11522 Filed 7-19-06; 8:45 am]
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