Federal Register/Vol. 67, No. 111/Monday, June 10
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Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 111 / Monday, June 10, 2002 / Notices 39749 ACTION: Information update and At that time NASA’s original concept scale development of a new power reopening of scoping period. was to launch the Pluto-Kuiper Express conversion system and qualification spacecraft in November 2003 or in testing of the RPS to assure its SUMMARY: On October 7, 1998, NASA December 2004 on either the Space suitability for long-duration space published in the Federal Register a Shuttle from Kennedy Space Center, missions. The development and testing notice of intent (NOI) to prepare an Florida, or an expendable launch processes would not result in an RPS environmental impact statement (EIS) vehicle from CCAFS, Florida. Both that would be fully qualified by 2006 for for NASA’s Pluto-Kuiper Express proposed trajectories would have use on the proposed mission. Thus, the Mission. The notice was issued in involved a Jupiter gravity assist mission concept has been revised to accordance with the National maneuver, allowing the spacecraft to include a conventional RTG to provide Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as arrive at Pluto in time to take advantage electrical power for the Pluto-Kuiper amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et of its close orbital position relative to Belt spacecraft. Because a conventional seq.) and Council on Environmental the Sun. The original concept for the RTG would generate a greater amount of Quality and NASA’s implementing Pluto-Kuiper Express mission included heat, RHUs would no longer be needed regulations. Since publication of the the potential use of a new advanced RPS to provide auxiliary heat for spacecraft NOI, NASA prepared further under study for deep-space exploration, thermal control. evaluations of the mission design, and approximately 80 RHUs. NASA In preparing the Pluto-Kuiper Belt including the alternatives indicated in anticipated that an RPS, due to mission draft EIS, NASA will consider the NOI. These evaluations have improved power conversion system comments from the scoping process resulted in refinement of NASA’s efficiency, would require less initiated by publication of the original original concept for the mission, radioactive material (plutonium 1998 NOI, and any new comments specifically with respect to details such dioxide) than a conventional RTG. received in response to this notice. as specific launch dates, launch vehicle Since publication of the 1998 NOI, Jeffrey E. Sutton, options, and the use of an advanced NASA has revised its original concept radioisotope power source (RPS) for for the Pluto-Kuiper Express mission, Assistant Administrator for Management Systems. onboard power. The renamed Pluto- renamed the Pluto-Kuiper Belt mission. Kuiper Belt mission is now proposed for As a result of more detailed mission [FR Doc. 02–14409 Filed 6–7–02; 8:45 am] launch in January 2006 on an design studies and programmatic BILLING CODE 7510–01–P expendable launch vehicle from Cape evaluations, NASA has determined that Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), launch of the Pluto-Kuiper Belt NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND Florida, with an arrival at Pluto not later spacecraft is not feasible before January SPACE ADMINISTRATION than 2020. NASA’s original concept has 2006, and therefore has eliminated the also been modified to utilize a November 2003 and December 2004 [Notice 02–073] conventional radioisotope launch opportunities from further thermoelectric generator (RTG) instead consideration. The January 2006 launch NASA Advisory Council, Biological of an advanced RPS originally opportunity is now the launch and Physical Research Advisory envisioned. It is not anticipated that any opportunity for the proposed mission. Committee Commercial Advisory radioisotope heater units (RHU) would The proposed mission would still Subcommittee; Meeting be needed. require a Jupiter gravity assist trajectory. AGENCY: National Aeronautics and The draft EIS will address the The flight time to Pluto with the new Space Administration. environmental impacts associated with opportunity would be 10 to 12 years, ACTION: Notice of meeting. launching and operating the mission, with the spacecraft arriving at Pluto the No Action alternative, and other before 2020. After 2006, Jupiter will not SUMMARY: In accordance with the alternatives. This notice informs the be in the proper alignment to provide a Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public public of the revised proposal, reopens gravity assist toward Pluto until 2015. Law 92–463, as amended, the National the scoping period, and solicits new Arrival by 2020 gives the best Aeronautics and Space Administration public comment. opportunity to study Pluto near its announces a meeting of the NASA DATES: Interested parties are invited to closest approach to the sun, which will Advisory Council, Biological and submit comments on environmental provide the best conditions for scientific Physical Research Advisory Committee, concerns in writing on or before July 25, observations. A backup launch Commercial Advisory Subcommittee. 2002, to assure full consideration during opportunity may exist in 2007 using a DATES: Wednesday, June 19, 2002, 8 the extended scoping process. direct trajectory to Pluto. While direct a.m. to 5 p.m. trajectories to Pluto are available ADDRESSES: Written comments should ADDRESSES: National Aeronautics and be addressed to Mr. Kurt Lindstrom, approximately every 13 months, after Space Administration, Room 3P44, 300 2007 the flight times are projected to be NASA Headquarters, Code SE, E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20546. too long to provide timely return of Washington, DC 20546–0001. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Comments may also be sent by scientific data. The proposed 2006 launch date for Candace Livingston, Code UM, National electronic mail to: Aeronautics and Space Administration, [email protected]. the mission also affects potential use of the Space Shuttle, which was proposed Washington, DC 20546, 202–358–0697. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. in the original NOI as the primary SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Kurt Lindstrom, Code SE, NASA launch vehicle. For programmatic and meeting will be open to the public to the Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546– technical reasons, the Space Shuttle is seating capacity of the room. Advance 0001; 202–358–1588; electronic mail: not proposed for this mission. As notice of attendance to the Executive [email protected]. proposed, the Pluto-Kuiper Belt mission Secretary is requested. The agenda for SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The would be launched on an expendable the meeting will include the following October 7, 1998, NOI described the launch vehicle. topics: purpose and structure of the EIS for the Use of an RPS on the proposed —Report of the REMAP Task Force proposed Pluto-Kuiper Express mission. mission would be dependent upon full- Team VerDate May<23>2002 20:20 Jun 07, 2002 Jkt 197001 PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\10JNN1.SGM pfrm17 PsN: 10JNN1 39750 Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 111 / Monday, June 10, 2002 / Notices —Status of the entire NASA Week of July 8, 2002—Tentative NUCLEAR REGULATORY Commercial Program COMMISSION Wednesday, July 10, 2002 —Status of the Non-Government Organization 9:25 a.m.—Affirmation Session (Public Solicitation of Public Comments on Agency Guidelines for Ensuring —Committee Concerns Meeting) (If needed) Information Quality: Reopening of —Staffing the Division 9:30 a.m.—Briefing on License Renewal Comment Period —Public Information on Commercial Program and Power Uprate Review Accomplishments Activities (Public Meeting) (Contacts: AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory —Role of the CAS and Its Membership Noel Dudley, 301–415–1154, for Commission (NRC). It is imperative that the meeting be license renewal program; Mohammed ACTION: Reopening of comment period. held on this date to accommodate the Shuaibi, 301–415–2859, for power scheduling priorities of the key uprate review activities) SUMMARY: participants. Visitors will be requested On May 3, 2002, the Nuclear This meeting will be webcast live at to sign a visitor’s register. Regulatory Commission (NRC) the Web address—www.nrc.gov published in the Federal Register (67 Dated: May 31, 2002. FR 22463) its draft Information Quality 2 p.m.—Meeting with Advisory Sylvia K. Kraemer, (IQ) Guidelines for public comment. Committee on Reactor Safeguards Advisory Committee Management Officer, The comment period expired on May National Aeronautics and Space (ACRS) (Public Meeting) (Contact: 30, 2002. During this comment period, Administration. John Larkins, 301–415–7360) the NRC received requests to extend the [FR Doc. 02–14408 Filed 6–7–02; 8:45 am] This meeting will be webcast live at comment period. In view of the BILLING CODE 7510–01–P the Web address—www.nrc.gov importance of the IQ Guidelines, the NRC is reopening the comment period Week of July 15, 2002—Tentative until 5:00 p.m. on June 26, 2002. Thursday, July 18, 2002 NUCLEAR REGULATORY DATES: The comment period has been reopened and now expires at 5:00 p.m. COMMISSION 1:55 p.m.—Affirmation Session (Public on June 26, 2002. Comments received Meeting) (if needed) Sunshine Act Meeting Notice after this date and time will be 2 p.m.—Briefing on Special Review considered if it is practical to do so, but AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETING: Nuclear Group Response to Differing the Commission is able to ensure Regulatory Commission. Professional Opinion/Differing consideration only for comments DATES: Weeks of June 10, 17, 24, July 1, Professional View (DPO/DPV) Review received before this date and time. (Public Meeting)(Contact: John Craig, 8, 15, 2002. ADDRESSES: The NRC recommends that 301–415–1703) PLACE: Commissioners’ Conference comment be submitted by e-mail, web Room, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, This meeting will be webcast live at site, or fax due to the strict time Maryland. the Web address—www.nrc.gov schedule indicated, but mail and delivery are acceptable if received STATUS: Public and Closed. * The schedule for Commission meetings is before the date and time noted. Submit MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: subject to change on short notice.