[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56183-56186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-15766]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice (06-074)]


National Environmental Policy Act; Constellation Program

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) and to conduct scoping for the Constellation Program.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as

[[Page 56184]]

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), NASA's NEPA policy and procedures (14 CFR 
part 1216, subpart 1216.3), and Executive Order 12114, NASA intends to 
prepare a Programmatic EIS for the implementation of the Constellation 
Program. The Constellation Program encompasses NASA's initial efforts 
to extend a human presence throughout the Solar System as President 
George W. Bush outlined in his Vision for Space Exploration. Major 
elements of the Constellation Program are currently focused on 
providing the capability to transport humans and cargo first to the 
International Space Station (ISS), and then at a later date to the Moon 
in support of lunar exploration missions. These activities would 
provide the framework for future human exploration of the Moon, Mars 
and other destinations in the Solar System in the decades to come.
    The design, development, test, and production of the vehicles 
needed to transport humans and cargo, the design and development of the 
infrastructure necessary to support their use in missions, and the 
early mission applications of these vehicles form the basis of the 
Proposed Action and alternatives to be analyzed in the Constellation 
Programmatic EIS. The No Action Alternative is to not implement the 
Constellation Program. Present plans call for operational missions to 
the ISS no later than 2014 and human missions to the Moon no later than 
2020. Launches are proposed to take place from John F. Kennedy Space 
Center (KSC), Florida. Analysis of potential landing areas for 
returning spacecraft is at a very early stage.
    NASA will hold public scoping meetings as part of the NEPA process 
associated with development of the Programmatic EIS. Public meeting 
locations and dates identified at this time are provided under 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below.

DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit comments on 
environmental issues and concerns, preferably in writing, on or before 
November 13, 2006, to assure full consideration during the scoping 
process.

ADDRESSES: Comments submitted by mail should be addressed to ZA/
Environmental Manager, Constellation Program, NASA Lyndon B. Johnson 
Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Texas 77058. Comments may be 
submitted via e-mail to [email protected]. Comments may also be 
submitted via telephone at (toll free) 1-866-662-7243.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Constellation Programmatic EIS by e-
mail addressed to [email protected], by telephone at (toll free) 
1-866-662-7243, or by mail addressed to ZA/Environmental Manager, 
Constellation Program, NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA 
Parkway, Houston, Texas 77058. Additional Constellation Program 
information may also be found on the internet at NASA Web sites 
including http://www.nasa.gov/constellation. Information specific to 
the Constellation Program NEPA process may be found at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/main/eis.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 14, 2004, President George W. 
Bush announced a new Vision for Space Exploration setting the long-term 
goals and objectives for the Nation's space exploration efforts. The 
underlying objective of the President's vision is to advance the 
Nation's scientific, security, and economic interests through a robust 
space exploration program. The President identified three goals as 
needed to meet this objective. First, the Nation will fulfill its 
obligation to support the ISS. Secondly, a new spacecraft capable of 
transporting humans, the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) (recently named 
``Orion'' by NASA), will be developed, tested, and deployed. Finally, 
the Nation will undertake a human mission to the Moon by 2020.
    The President tasked NASA as the lead agency in developing the 
plans, programs, and activities required to implement the Vision for 
Space Exploration. To achieve these goals, NASA intends to pursue the 
following initiatives:
--Implement a sustained and affordable human and robotic program to 
explore the Moon, Mars, and other destinations in the Solar System,
--Extend a human presence across the Solar System, starting with a 
return of humans to the Moon by 2020 in preparation for human 
exploration of Mars and other Solar System destinations,
--Develop innovative technologies, knowledge, and infrastructures both 
to explore and to support decisions about the destinations for human 
exploration, and
--Promote international and commercial participation in this new space 
exploration program.

    NASA has formulated a comprehensive program directed at 
accomplishing the key actions in pursuit of human exploration 
activities, the Constellation Program. The proposed framework for 
implementation of the Constellation Program has been established 
through studies addressed in NASA's Exploration Systems Architecture 
Study (ESAS) released in November of 2005. The ESAS identified the key 
technologies required to enable NASA to continue to support the ISS, to 
undertake human exploration missions to the Moon, and to prepare for 
human missions to Mars and ultimately to other destinations in the 
Solar System. The ESAS also outlined the specific actions NASA proposes 
to take in implementing the President's Vision for Space Exploration.
    The ESAS recommended the development of two Space Shuttle-derived 
launch vehicles capable of supporting Orion operations to the ISS, the 
Moon, and Mars. The Proposed Action would use a Space Shuttle-derived 
set of launch vehicles. The first of these vehicles, the Crew Launch 
Vehicle (recently designated by NASA as ``Ares-I'') would carry human 
explorers and/or cargo aboard Orion to low-Earth orbit. Ares-I would be 
a two-stage rocket configuration topped by the Orion: The first stage 
would be a modified version of a Space Shuttle reusable solid rocket 
motor, and the upper stage would use a liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen 
fueled engine derived from the upper stage engine used on the Saturn V 
during the Apollo Program. Orion would consist of an Apollo-like 
capsule which includes a crew module, a service module, and a launch 
abort system. Orion launched aboard the Ares-I would be able to dock 
with the ISS. Orion would also be able to dock with the cargo launched 
aboard the second vehicle, the Cargo Launch Vehicle (recently 
designated as ``Ares-V'' by NASA). Ares-V would also be a two-stage 
rocket configuration. The first stage would consist of two of the solid 
rocket motors used on Ares-I and a single core liquid propulsion stage. 
The core propulsion stage would consist of a central booster tank, 
derived from the Space Shuttle external tank, which provides fuel for 
five liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen fueled engines. The upper stage, 
called the Earth Departure Stage, would be powered by the same engine 
used on the upper stage of the Ares-I and would provide the capability 
to propel a human mission from Earth orbit to the Moon and later to 
Mars. Ares-V would be capable of delivering large-scale hardware and 
materials to Earth orbit. Items delivered could range from materials 
for establishing a permanent Moon base to food, fresh

[[Page 56185]]

water, and other staples needed to extend a human presence beyond Earth 
orbit. It is the development and testing of these vehicles, the 
infrastructure necessary to support their use in missions, and the 
early mission applications of these vehicles that form the basis of the 
Proposed Action. More complete descriptions of the planned Orion, Ares-
I, and Ares-V are available via the internet at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/spacecraft/index.html.
    As the Proposed Action to accomplish the President's Vision for 
Space Exploration, NASA proposes to continue planning for and to 
implement major elements of the Constellation Program focused on 
providing for transport of humans and cargo first to the ISS and then 
at a later date to the Moon in support of lunar exploration missions. 
These activities would also provide the framework for future human 
exploration of Mars and other destinations in the Solar System in the 
decades to come.
    NASA's Proposed Action would consist of six major projects: Project 
Orion, Launch Vehicle (i.e., Ares-I and Ares-V) Projects, Ground 
Operations Project, Mission Operations Project, Extravehicular Vehicle 
Activity (EVA) Project, and Advanced Projects. For Project Orion this 
Programmatic EIS will focus on production, flight testing, and mission 
operation of Orion. For the Launch Vehicle Projects, the focus will be 
on design, development, production, testing (including flight tests), 
and mission operations of the new Ares-I and Ares-V launch vehicles. 
The Ground Operations Project discussion will focus on launch 
processing and launch operations for each of the two launch vehicles 
including potential launch site modifications and new construction 
associated with launch site modifications at KSC, recovery of Orion and 
her crew after missions. The Missions Operations Project discussion 
will focus on the infrastructure necessary to accomplish missions: 
astronaut and flight controller training facilities, control centers, 
and communication centers. The EVA Project discussion will focus on the 
development of spacesuits and EVA related tools and equipment. The 
Advanced Projects discussion will focus on the requirements and early 
design of future Constellation program systems. These systems would 
support lunar landers and surface applications as well as Mars 
transportation, landers, and surface operations. The EVA Project and 
Advanced Projects are at a very early stage of planning and 
development. As a result they will be discussed only generally in this 
Programmatic EIS, and NASA will consider the need for additional NEPA 
documentation as such systems are considered for implementation and 
more specific information becomes available.
    Orion and Ares-I would be used on missions to support the ISS once 
the Space Shuttle has been retired. It is anticipated that they would 
be used to ferry human and cargo to the ISS no later than 2014 with 
missions continuing throughout the life of the ISS. Orion, Ares-I, and 
Ares-V would be used for lunar missions to be undertaken no later than 
2020. The Programmatic EIS will address only the ISS support missions 
and early human lunar missions through the early 2020s. While 
additional human missions to the Moon and, later, to Mars are 
envisioned for the Constellation Program, the nature and scope of these 
missions and resources needed to support them are speculative at this 
time. NASA anticipates that tiered NEPA documentation may need to be 
prepared for specific activities and specific missions as planning 
matures.
    To satisfy the objective that Ares-I and Orion be able to support 
ISS no later than 2014, a limited number of long lead-time activities 
that could affect the environment need to be initiated before it is 
likely that the Constellation Programmatic EIS process will be 
completed. Such activities have been or will be the subject of separate 
NEPA documentation before final decisions are reached as to whether to 
proceed with them. These include a Finding of No Significant Impact for 
the Development of the Crew Exploration Vehicle signed on August 29, 
2006 (published in the Federal Register on September 1, 2006 (71 FR 
52169)), the proposed NASA Launch Abort System Test Program, and 
proposed limited new construction and modification to existing 
facilities to support early testing of Ares-I and Orion at KSC.
    The Constellation Program is a large endeavor that would require 
NASA to make use of personnel and resources at several NASA locations. 
Under NASA's Proposed Action, Constellation Program activities would be 
expected to occur at the following NASA sites:
--Ames Research Center; Santa Clara County, California,
--Dryden Flight Research Center; Edwards Air Force Base, California,
--Glenn Research Center; Cleveland, Ohio,
--Goddard Space Flight Center; Greenbelt, Maryland,
--Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena, California,
--Johnson Space Center; Houston, Texas,
--Kennedy Space Center; Brevard County, Florida,
--Langley Research Center; Hampton, Virginia,
--Marshall Space Flight Center; Huntsville, Alabama,
--Michoud Assembly Facility; New Orleans, Louisiana,
--Stennis Space Center; Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and
--White Sands Test Facility (and the U.S. Army White Sands Missile 
Range), New Mexico.
    Development activities would also be expected to occur at 
contractor facilities, including, but not necessarily limited to, 
potential rocket motor development, manufacturing and testing at Pratt 
& Whitney Rocketdyne; Canoga Park, California and ATK Thiokol, Brigham 
City, Utah.
    Alternatives to be considered in this Programmatic EIS will 
include, but not necessarily be limited to other launch vehicle 
systems, other means to support the ISS, alternative Orion landing 
regimes and sites, and the No Action Alternative (i.e., NASA would not 
implement the Constellation Program).
    NASA anticipates that the areas of potential environmental impact 
of most interest to the public would be: air quality; water quality; 
plant and animal life (including endangered species); noise and 
vibration related to, but not limited to, launch vehicle production, 
engine and motor tests, launch tests, and mission launches; potential 
impacts on cultural and historical resources at the involved NASA 
facilities; socioeconomic impacts associated with the potential 
increase and decrease of the workforce at various locations throughout 
the country; and sonic booms and other impacts associated with the 
return of Orion to Earth.
    NASA also plans on holding a series of public meetings to provide 
information on the Constellation Programmatic EIS and to solicit public 
comments. The meetings that have been scheduled to date are:
--October 18, 2006, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Florida Solar Energy 
Center (1679 Clearlake Road, Cocoa, Florida--University of Central 
Florida).
--October 20, 2006, 1 p.m. in the Everglades/Yellowstone Rooms at the 
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill (400 New Jersey Avenue, NW., 
Washington DC).
--October 24, 2006, 6 p.m. at the Little America Hotel (500 South Main 
Street, Salt Lake City, Utah).
    The Programmatic EIS will analyze the potential environmental 
impacts

[[Page 56186]]

associated with landing Orion at a general open ocean or terrestrial 
site in the Western continental U.S. However, at this time NASA is 
still conducting early technical analyses of the relative feasibility 
and desirability of returning Orion to Earth in the open ocean or at 
terrestrial landing sites in the Western continental U.S. As a result, 
the number of potential landing sites is so large that it is not 
practical to address specific sites during the present scoping period. 
However, NASA welcomes any public comments or concerns related to 
potential environmental impacts of ocean landings or landings in the 
Western continental U.S. At such time as the technical analyses of 
landing alternatives become more mature, NASA may reopen the public 
scoping period as it relates to landing sites. Alternatively, if such 
results are not available during the Programmatic EIS process, NASA 
will prepare tiered NEPA documentation that will involve a public 
scoping process.
    Written public input on alternatives and environmental issues and 
concerns associated with the Constellation Program that should be 
addressed in the Programmatic EIS are hereby requested.

Olga M. Dominguez,
Assistant Administrator for Infrastructure and Administration.
 [FR Doc. E6-15766 Filed 9-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7510-13-P