# National Environmental Policy Act; Notice of Cassini Mission Record Decision

> Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more.

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A97-23111

## Record

- **Collection:** Federal Register
- **Document type:** Notice
- **Published:** August 29, 1997
- **Citation:** 62 FR 45879

## Text

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice 97-127]

National Environmental Policy Act; Notice of Cassini Mission
Record Decision

In furtherance of the Council on Environmental Quality regulation
at 40 CFR 1505.2 and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) regulation at 14 CFR 1216.311, public notice is hereby provided
that on August 12, 1997, a Record of Decision (ROD) was rendered
pertaining to the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)
for the Cassini Mission to Saturn. While the ROD completes the National
Environmental Policy Act process, the ``Go/No-Go'' decision for launch
of the Cassini spacecraft will not be made until all of the mission and
flight readiness reviews are completed.
By way of background, in July 1995, NASA issued a Final
Environmental Impact Statement, dated June 1995. In April 1997, the
Draft SEIS was made available to the public. NASA responded to the
comments on the Draft SEIS and issued the Final SEIS on June 27, 1997,
with publication of the notice of availability of the Final SEIS on
July 3, 1997. The prescribed 30-day waiting period ended on August 4,
1997. Five comment letters (1 Federal agency, 4 individuals) were
received on the Final SEIS. The comments were evaluated and determined
not to present significant new information or data relevant to
environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action or its
environmental impacts.
After consideration of all of the information, as updated in the
final SEIS, the alternatives evaluated, public comments received, and
other technical and programmatic factors, the decision (documented in
the ROD) is the selection of the preferred alternative. This
alternative consists of completing preparations for the Cassini Mission
to Saturn, launching the spacecraft on a Titan IV (SRMU)/Centaur from
the U.S. Air Force Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, and operating
the mission. The launch is planned to take place during the primary
launch opportunity beginning in early October 1997, with a secondary
opportunity beginning in late November 1997 and a backup opportunity
beginning in March 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Mark R. Dahl, NASA Headquarters, Code SD, Washington, DC 20546-
0001; telephone 202-358-1544.
Benita A. Cooper,
Associate Administrator for Management Systems and Facilities.
[FR Doc. 97-23111 Filed 8-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7510-01-M

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A97-23111. Public record. Not legal advice.