[Federal Register: July 29, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 145)]
[Notices]
[Page 43930-43931]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29jy05-160]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation;
Notice of availability and request for comment on a Draft Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for Horizontal Launch and Reentry
of Reentry Vehicles
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Associate Administrator
for Commercial Space Transportation (AST) is the lead Federal agency
for the development of this PEIS.
ACTION: Notice of Availability and Request for Comment.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
regulations, the FAA is announcing the availability of and requesting
comments on the Draft PEIS for Horizontal Launch and Reentry of Reentry
Vehicles. Under the proposed action, the FAA would license the launch
of horizontally launched vehicles and the reentry of reentry vehicles
(RVs). The FAA has evaluated three horizontal launch vehicle (LV)
design concepts and both powered and unpowered RV concepts. This PEIS
assesses the potential programmatic environmental effects of licensing
horizontal launches and reentries of RVs, as well as the licensing of
launch facilities that would support horizontal launches and reentries.
The information in the PEIS is not intended to address all site-
specific launch issues. This PEIS will be used to tier subsequent
environmental analyses for site-specific launches, reentries, or the
operation of a launch or reentry site. To facilitate these site-
specific environmental analyses the FAA has provided guidance
throughout the PEIS in various sections and technical appendices. This
PEIS is intended to update and replace the 1992 Final PEIS for
Commercial Reentry Vehicles and complement the 2001 PEIS for Licensing
Launches.
DATES: The public comment period for the NEPA process begins with the
publication of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's notice in the
Federal Register. To ensure that all comments can be addressed in the
Final PEIS, comments must be received by the FAA no later than
September 12, 2005. The FAA has developed a public participation Web
site (http://ast.faa.gov/lrra/PEIS_Site.htm), where the public can
submit comments electronically. Materials on the web site include a
downloadable electronic version of the Draft PEIS; information about
licensing and the NEPA process; frequently asked questions; and a
public comment form. Public hearings may be requested by organizations
or individuals that feel their concerns cannot be met through the
available opportunities to comment.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Written and oral comments regarding
the Draft PEIS should be submitted to, Mr. Doug Graham, FAA
Environmental Specialist, FAA PEIS, c/o ICF Consulting, 9300 Lee
Highway, Fairfax,
[[Page 43931]]
VA 22031; e-mail FAA.PEIS@icfconsulting.com; phone (703) 934-3950; fax
(703) 934-3951; or through an online comment form available at http://ast.faa.gov/lrra/PEIS_info_resources.htm
.
Additional Information: The proposed action is for the FAA to issue
licenses for the launch of horizontally launched vehicles and the
reentry of RVs, as well as the licensing of facilities that would
support horizontal launches and reentries. The FAA exercises licensing
authority in accordance with the Commercial Space Launch Act and
Commercial Space Transportation Licensing Regulations, 14 CFR Ch. III,
which authorize the FAA to license the launch of an LV or the reentry
of an RV when conducted within the U.S. and those operated by U.S.
citizens abroad. The scope of the PEIS includes launches on orbital and
suborbital trajectories from both existing government launch facilities
and nonfederal launch sites in the U.S. and abroad.
The FAA identified three types of LVs, called out in this analysis
as Concept 1, Concept 2, and Concept 3, which would be typical of the
vehicles that would operate within the activities specified in this
PEIS. Additionally, both powered and unpowered RV concepts are
considered in this analysis. This PEIS may be used to tier subsequent
environmental documentation that the FAA would use to make a
determination about licensing the launches and reentries of the
aforementioned types of LVs and RVs. Additional environmental analysis
would need to be conducted for any activity that is not addressed in
this Draft PEIS or in previous environmental analyses.
Launch vehicles included in Concept 1 would use jet-powered take
off with subsequent rocket ignition, and conduct a powered horizontal
landing. These LVs would take off from conventional runways using jet
power, and then ignite rocket engines at a specified altitude. The LV
would use either suborbital or orbital trajectories depending on the
mission. During descent, jet engines would be restarted at a specified
altitude and the vehicle would fly to a powered, horizontal landing at
a designated location.
Launch vehicles included in Concept 2 would use rocket powered take
off and flight, and a non-powered horizontal landing. The rocket motors
would be ignited while the LV is on the runway. After takeoff, the LV
would follow a steep ascent trajectory that could be suborbital or
orbital. The vehicle would not use powered descent but would glide to a
horizontal landing at a designated location.
Launch vehicles included in Concept 3 would be carried aloft via
assist aircraft with subsequent rocket ignition, and would conduct a
non-powered horizontal landing. The vehicle would be comprised of an
assist aircraft, such as a carrier or tow aircraft, and an LV, which
would range from 9 to 46 meters (30 to 150 feet) in length. Depending
on the design configuration, the LV could be attached to the top, mated
to the underside, or tethered to the assist aircraft. After taking off
on a horizontal runway, the LV would be released from the assist
aircraft and rocket engines on the LV would be fired. The assist
aircraft would make a powered horizontal landing after releasing the
LV. The LV trajectory could be either orbital or suborbital. The LV
would not use powered descent but would glide to a horizontal landing
at a designated location.
Reentry vehicle concepts include both unpowered and powered
vehicles. Once an unpowered RV concept enters Earth's atmosphere, it
would glide, deploy a parachute or parafoil, and descend to the Earth's
surface. Once a powered RV concept enters Earth's atmosphere, a
propulsion system would be used to control descent and direct the RV to
a landing site. Both RV concepts could be oriented vertically or
horizontally during reentry and subsequent landing. The design and size
of the RV dictates whether descent would be powered or unpowered. Some
RVs would descend using a combination of unpowered and powered methods.
For example, a rocket engine would be fired to slow initial descent,
then a parachute would be deployed and finally when the RV is close to
Earth's surface rocket engines would be fired for a final touch down.
Three alternatives to the proposed action were considered in the
Draft PEIS. The first alternative would be to issue licenses for
orbital Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLVs) using unpowered reentry and
landing only. The second alternative would be to issue licenses to
orbital RLVs using powered reentry and landing only. The third
alternative would be to issue licenses of horizontal launches of RLVs
where full rocket engine ignition occurs at or above 914 meters (3,000
feet). Under the No Action Alternative, the FAA would not issue
licenses for the horizontal launch of LVs and reentry of RVs, as well
as the operation of launch and reentry sites for such activities.
Potential impacts of the proposed action and alternatives were
analyzed in the Draft PEIS. Potential environmental impacts of
successful launches include impacts to the atmosphere, airspace,
biological resources, cultural resources, public health and safety,
hazardous materials and hazardous waste, geology and soils, land use,
noise, socioeconomics, environmental justice, section 4(f) resources,
orbital debris, aesthetic and visual resources, and water resources.
The impacts of the No Action Alternative would be the same as those
described for the affected environment in the Draft PEIS.
Potential cumulative impacts of the proposed action are also
addressed in the Draft PEIS.
Dated: July 20, 2005.
John Sloan,
Acting Manager, Space Systems Development Division.
[FR Doc. 05-14972 Filed 7-28-05; 8:45 am]
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