[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 11, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55762-55763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22116]


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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice 13-111]


National Environmental Policy Act; Mars 2020 Mission

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
(EIS) for the Mars 2020 mission and to conduct scoping for the EIS.

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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 2020 mission. NASA 
is seeking input on environmental issues and concerns associated with 
the proposed action, as well as alternatives that should be addressed 
in the EIS. The mission would fly a near-duplicate of the Mars Science 
Laboratory mission's rover, Curiosity, outfitted with new scientific 
instruments. The mission would be designed to seek signs of past life 
on Mars, collect and store a compelling set of soil and rock samples 
that could be returned to Earth in the future, and test new technology 
to benefit future robotic and human exploration of Mars.
    The Proposed Action is to continue preparation for and implement 
the Mars 2020 mission. The Mars 2020 mission would launch the 
spacecraft from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Brevard 
County, Florida during the summer of 2020. NASA would select the launch 
vehicle for the mission through NASA's launch services procurement 
process. There is a backup launch opportunity for the mission during 
the summer of 2022. The baseline mission plan would include the use of 
one multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator (MMRTG) for 
rover electrical power and temperature control while on the surface of 
Mars. Some science instruments may require the use of small quantities 
of radioactive material for instrument calibration or for 
experimentation. 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 potential 
launch accident.

DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit comments on 
environmental concerns in writing on or before October 30, 2013 to 
assure full consideration during the scoping process. NASA will conduct 
scoping meetings to solicit and collect comments on the scope of the 
Mars 2020 mission EIS as well as the Proposed Action in October 2013.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Mr. George Tahu, 
Planetary Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, Mail Suite 
3E46, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546-0001. Comments by 
electronic mail may be sent to [email protected]. Those 
persons requesting to receive a hard copy of the Mars 2020 Draft EIS 
should also provide a valid US Postal Service mailing address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. George Tahu, by telephone at 202-
358-0016 or by electronic mail at [email protected].
    Additional information is available at http://www.nasa.gov/agency/nepa/mars2020eis.

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. The Mars 2020 EIS will focus on 
reasonable alternatives to implement the purpose and need of the Mars 
2020 mission and the potential environmental impacts associated with 
each.
    NASA's proposed Mars 2020 mission would use the proven design and 
technology developed for the Mars Science Laboratory mission and rover 
(Curiosity) that arrived at Mars in August 2012. NASA would select a 
high priority, scientifically important landing site based upon data 
from past and current missions.
    The rover would be equipped with new scientific instrumentation 
that would: (a) Characterize the geological processes and history of an 
astrobiologically relevant ancient environment on Mars; (b) within the 
selected geological environment, assess the past habitability of the 
landing region and search for evidence of past life; (c) assemble a 
scientifically selected, well-documented, cache of samples for 
potential future return to the Earth; (d) further the preparation for 
future human exploration of Mars; and (e) demonstrate improved 
technical capabilities for landing and operating on the surface of Mars 
to benefit future Mars missions.
    It is anticipated that the electrical, thermal and operational 
requirements of the rover would require a radioisotope power source 
(MMRTG) using plutonium-238. This single MMRTG would provide adequate 
power to operate the rover, similar to the Mars Curiosity rover. Some 
of the waste heat from the MMRTG would be used for temperature control 
of the rover electronics, science instruments, and other sensitive 
components. Alternatives to the Proposed Action addressed in this EIS 
will include, but are not necessarily limited to, (1) the use of 
alternative sources of on-board power and heat (including solar 
energy); and (2) the No Action Alternative. The Mars 2020 EIS will 
address the purpose and need for the proposed Mars 2020 mission 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, water quality, flora and fauna, and 
potential radiological effects.
    NASA plans to hold two scoping meetings to receive comments on the

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DEIS regarding alternatives and environmental issues to be considered 
in the Draft EIS. The scoping meetings are scheduled as follows:

1. Cocoa Beach, FL, Wednesday, October 9, 2013 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at 
Cocoa Beach Country Club, 5000 Tom Warriner Boulevard, Cocoa Beach, FL 
32931.
2. Viera, FL, Thursday, October 10, 2013 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at Brevard 
County Government Center, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL 
32940.

    Written public input and comments on alternatives and potential 
environmental impacts and concerns associated with the proposed Mars 
2020 mission are hereby requested.

Calvin Williams,
Director, Integrated Asset Management Division, Office Strategic 
Infrastructure.
[FR Doc. 2013-22116 Filed 9-10-13; 8:45 am]
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