Launch Site Environmental Review
The environmental evaluation ensures that proposed commercial space transportation activities pose no unacceptable danger to the natural environment. The licensing of launch and reentry activities, i.e., conducting launches and reentries, operating launch/reentry sites, or some combination, is considered a federal action under the National Environment Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (NEPA). Consequently, AST is responsible for analyzing the environmental impacts associated with proposed licensed launch events. We are also responsible for preparing appropriate environmental documents such as Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) under NEPA. In addition to NEPA, there are other federal, state, and local environmental requirements that may apply. We integrate our compliance with all applicable laws in the NEPA document to the maximum extent possible.
We may issue a license once the environmental review component of the licensing process is satisfied. We achieve this by preparing an environmental determination, based on information you provide to us, which becomes a part of the license. AST's environmental team also oversees launches to ensure environmental/regulatory compliance.
You must provide information sufficient to enable FAA/AST to comply with the requirements of NEPA, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA, 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508, and FAA's Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts, FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1.
For detailed information on the environmental review process, please refer to the document Guidelines for Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Related Environmental Review Statutes (PDF). AST developed this document specifically for prospective applicants. It is a good starting point for learning about the environmental review process.
Procedures for completing the Environmental Review are described in 14 CFR Part 415.101 – 415.103.
Related Documents
Guidelines
Regulations
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321
- Council on Environmental Quality NEPA Guidance
Existing Documentation from Previous Licensing Efforts (Reference Resources)
- FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1 - Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures (PDF)
- Finding of No Significant Impact for X Prize Cup (PDF) (9/27/2006)
- Final Environmental Assessment for X Prize Cup (PDF) (9/2006)
- Final Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Blue Origin West Texas Launch Site (PDF) (8/2006)
- Finding of No Significant Impact for the Proposed Blue Origin West Texas Launch Site (PDF) (8/29/2006)
- Final Environmental Assessment for the Oklahoma Spaceport (PDF) (5/2006)
- Finding of No Significant Impact for the Oklahoma Spaceport (PDF) (5/2006)
- Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement: Launches and Reentries Under an Experimental Permit (in progress)
- Spaceport America Environmental Impact Statement (in progress)
- Mojave Airport - Final Environmental Assessment for the East Kern Airport District Launch Site Operator License for the Mojave Airport (PDF) (2/19/2004)
- Kodiak Launch Complex - Final Environmental Assessment for the Kodiak Launch Complex
- Executive Summary (PDF)
- Environmental Assessment (PDF) (5/1996)
- Final Finding of No Significant Impact for the Kodiak Launch Complex (PDF) (6/1996)
- Public Information Material for the Gulf Coast Regional Spaceport EA
- Scoping Materials for the Southwest Regional Spaceport EIS
