National Environmental Policy Act; Cassini Mission

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice 95-66]

National Environmental Policy Act; Cassini Mission

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Notice of availability of final 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 final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the proposed

Cassini mission. This planned action would involve the preparation for

the implementation of the Cassini mission, including, but not limited

to, launch of the Cassini spacecraft, its cruise to Saturn, and a

variety of scientific operations and investigations focused on Saturn

and its rings and satellites.

DATES: NASA will take no final action on the proposed Cassini mission

before August 21, 1995, or 30 days from the date of publication in the

Federal Register of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's)

notice of availability of the Cassini FEIS, whichever is later.

ADDRESSES: The FEIS may be reviewed at the following locations:

(a) NASA Headquarters, Library, Room 1J20, 300 E Street SW.,

Washington, DC 20546.

(b) 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 FEIS may be examined at the following NASA

locations by contacting the pertinent Freedom of Information Act

Office:

(c) NASA, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035 (415-604-

4191).

(d) NASA, Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA 93523 (805-

258-3047).

(e) NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771 (301-

286-0730).

(f) Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Visitors Lobby, Building 249, 4800

Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 (818-354-5011).

(g) NASA, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058 (713-483-8612).

(h) NASA, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23665 (804-864-

6125).

(i) NASA, Lewis Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland,

OH 44135 (216-433-2902).

(j) NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812 (205-544-5252).

(k) NASA, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 (601-688-2164).

Copies of the FEIS are available by contacting Dr. Peter B. Ulrich,

at the address or telephone number indicated herein.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Peter B. Ulrich, 202-358-0290.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FEIS considers and analyzes the

alternatives associated with the proposed Cassini mission and their

related environmental impacts. NASA's baseline proposed action and

preferred alternative would involve the launch of the Cassini

spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, using a Titan IV

(Solid Rocket Motor Upgrade)/Centaur. The primary launch opportunity is

in October 1997, with contingency launch opportunities in December 1997

(secondary) or March 1999 (backup). The primary launch opportunity

would place the spacecraft into a 6.7-year Venus-Venus-Earth-Jupiter-

Gravity-Assist Trajectory to Saturn. The preferred alternative would

use three radioisotope thermoelectric generators for onboard electrical

power, and radioisotope heater units to control the thermal environment

of the spacecraft and its components.

Comments on the Cassini draft environmental impact statement (DEIS)

had been solicited from Federal, State and local agencies,

organizations and members of the general public through: (a) Notices

published in the Federal Register--NASA notice on October 20, 1994 (59

FR 52995) and EPA notice on October 21, 1994 (59 FR 53164); and (b)

direct mailings to interested parties.

Benita A. Cooper,

Associate Administrator for Management Systems and Facilities.

[FR Doc. 95-17854 Filed 7-19-95; 8:45 am]

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