[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 234 (Wednesday, December 6, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62480-62481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-29609]
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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
[Notice 95108]
National Environmental Policy Act; International Space Station
AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Notice of availability of Tier 2 draft environmental impact
statement.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA), as amended (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 Tier 2 draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the
International Space Station (ISS). The proposed action by NASA is to
continue to provide U.S. participation in the assembly and operation of
the ISS. This Tier 2 DEIS addresses changes to the Space Station
Program and potential environmental impacts that could not be addressed
in detail at the time of the Tier 1 final environmental impact
statement (FEIS). These factors include modifications to the Space
Station itself, its assembly and operation, and an assessment of the
probability and consequences of reentry into Earth's atmosphere.
DATE: Comments on the Tier 2 DEIS must be submitted in writing to NASA
on or before January 22, 1996, or 45 days from the date of publication
in the Federal Register of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
notice of availability of the ISS Tier 2 DEIS.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Mr. David Ruszczyk,
NASA Johnson Space Center, Code OF, Houston, Texas, 77058-3696. The
Tier 2 DEIS may be reviewed at the following locations:
(a) NASA Headquarters, Library, Room 1J20, 300 E street SW,
Washington DC 20546.
(b) NASA, Johnson Space Center, Building 111, Industry Assistance
Office, Houston, TX 77058.
(c) Spaceport U.S.A., Room 2001, John F. Kennedy Space Center, FL
32899. Please call Lisa Fowler beforehand at 407-867-2468 so that
arrangements can be made.
In addition, the Tier 2 DEIS may be reviewed at the following NASA
locations by contracting the pertinent Freedom of Information Act
Office:
[[Page 62481]]
(d) NASA, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035 (415-604-
4190).
(e) NASA, Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA 93523 (805-
258-3448).
(f) NASA, Goodard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771 (301-
286-0730).
(g) Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Visitors Lobby, Building 249, 4800
Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 (818-354-5179).
(h) NASA, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23665 (804-864-
6125).
(i) NASA, Lewis Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland,
OH 44135 (216-433-2313).
(j) NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812 (205-544-5252).
(k) NASA, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 (601-688-2164).
Limited copies of the Tier 2 DEIS are available, on a first request
basis, by contacting David Ruszczyk at the address or telephone number
indicated herein.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Ruszczyk, 713-244-7756.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NASA issued the Final Tier 1 Environmental
Impact Statement for Space Station Freedom, in March 1991 (the ``Tier 1
FEIS'') followed by the associated Record of Decision to proceed with
full-scale design and development of the concept known as Space Station
Freedom.
At the time the Tier 1 FEIS was prepared, detailed design
information was not available. As a consequence, some issues relating
to the potential environmental effects of Space Station Freedom were
deferred to the Tier 2 environmental impact statement. These issues
included the impacts of any significant design modifications that might
be incorporated as the design matured, and a quantitative analysis of
the probability and consequences of inadvertent reentry into the
Earth's atmosphere during assembly and operation. Other issues that
were deferred included venting of nontoxic gases during operation and
change to a hydrazine propulsion system.
On March 9, 1993, the President directed NASA to undertake a
redesign of the Space Station Program in such a manner that reductions
in the projected costs of Space Station Freedom could be realized. The
result was the current ISS, which involves design modifications and
agreements to include Russia as a partner.
The proposed action considered in this Tier 2 DEIS is to continue
to provide U.S. participation in the implementation of assembly and
operation of the ISS. The Tier 2 DEIS considers the alternative to the
proposed action, the ``No-Action'' alternative (i.e., cancellation of
U.S. participation in the ISS).
Significant design changes that have occurred since the Tier 1 FEIS
include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: the number
of research laboratories has been increased from three to six; the
number of logistics modules has been increased from one to two; the
pressurized volume has been almost doubled; the crew size has been
increased from four to six; and the orbital inclination has been
changed from 28.5 degrees to 51.6 degrees, improving access by Russian
launch vehicles and additional mission control capabilities. Assembly
of the ISS contemplates 27 NASA Shuttle launches (reduced from 29), 15
Russian launches, 1 European Space Agency launch, and 1 launch of a
vehicle yet to be determined. This would increase the total number of
launches through completion of assembly from 32 to 44. Accordingly,
resupply flights to the completed ISS will now include Russian as well
as NASA flights; whereas Space Station Freedom was to be resupplied
exclusively by NASA Space Shuttle flights.
The design of the ISS has progressed to the point where it is now
possible to conduct a quantitative analysis of the probability and
consequences of inadvertent reentry into the Earth's atmosphere. The
Tier 2 DEIS assesses the probabilities and potential impacts associated
with inadvertent reentry, and addresses potential decommissioning
options, including the plan presented in the Tier 1 FEIS. Other issues
addressed in the Tier 2 DEIS include the following: the cumulative
effects of the U.S. launches associated with the assembly and operation
of the ISS, the change to the Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine/Nitrogen
Tetroxide propulsion system, and the venting and outgassing of nontoxic
gases from the ISS. The Tier 2 DEIS addresses environmental effects on
the United States and the integrated ISS impacts on the global commons.
Dated: November 28, 1995.
Benita A. Cooper,
Associate Administrator for Management Systems and Facilities.
[FR Doc. 95-29609 Filed 12-5-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7510-01-M
