Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 128 / Thursday, July 3, 1997 / Notices 36081

(h) NASA, Langley Research Center, and implementing the Cassini Mission NASA notice on April 9, 1997, (62 FR Hampton, VA 23655 (757–864–2497). to Saturn and its moons, with a launch 17216) and U.S. Environmental (i) NASA, Lewis Research Center, 21000 of the Cassini spacecraft onboard a Titan Protection Agency notice on April 11, Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH IV(SRMU)/Centaur. The launch would 1997, (62 FR 17810); and (b) direct 44135 (216–433–2222). take place at CCAS during the primary mailings to interested parties. (j) NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, launch opportunity that begins in early Comments received have been AL 35812 (202–544–0031). October 1997 and continues into mid- addressed in the FSEIS. (k) NASA, Stennis Space Center, MS November 1997. A secondary launch Benita A. Cooper, 39529 (601–688–2164). opportunity extends from the end of Associate Administrator for Management Limited copies of the FSEIS are November 1997 to early January 1997, Systems and Facilities. available, on a first request basis, by with a backup opportunity from mid- [FR Doc. 97–17404 Filed 7–2–97; 8:45 am] contacting Mark R. Dahl at the address March to early April 1999, both using BILLING CODE 7510±01±M or telephone number indicated below. the Titan IV(SRMU)/Centaur. The FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: primary launch opportunity would Mr. Mark R. Dahl, NASA Headquarters, employ a Venus-Venus-Earth-Jupiter- NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND Code SD, Washington, DC 20546–0001; Gravity-Assist trajectory to Saturn; the SPACE ADMINISTRATION telephone 202–358–1544. secondary and backup opportunities would both employ a Venus-Earth- [Notice 97±091] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Earth-Gravity-Assist (VEEGA) trajectory. planned Cassini Mission is an National Environmental Policy Act; The above primary launch opportunity international cooperative effort of X±33 Advanced Technology remains NASA’s preferred alternative NASA, the European Space Agency, and Demonstrator Vehicle Program and Proposed Action and would allow the Italian Space Agency, to explore the the Cassini spacecraft to gather the full AGENCY: National Aeronautics and planet Saturn and its environment. science return desired to accomplish Space Administration (NASA). Saturn is the second-largest and second- mission objectives. ACTION: Notice of availability of the draft most massive planet in the solar system Along with the No-Action alternative environmental impact statement (DEIS) and has the largest, most visible (ceasing preparations and not for the X–33 Advanced Technology dynamic ring structure of all the implementing the Cassini Mission), the Demonstrator Vehicle program. planets. The planned mission is an EIS evaluated in detail two other important part of NASA’s program for mission alternatives. The March 1999 SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National exploration of the solar system, the goal alternative would have used two Shuttle Environmental Policy Act of 1969 of which is to understand the system’s flights with on-orbit integration of the (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et birth and evolution. The Cassini spacecraft and upper stage, followed by seq.), the Council on Environmental Mission would involve a 4-year injection of the spacecraft into a VEEGA Quality Regulations for Implementing scientific exploration of Saturn, its trajectory to Saturn. Due to the long the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 atmosphere, moons, rings, and lead-time in developing and certifying CFR parts 1500–1508), and NASA magnetosphere. The Cassini spacecraft the new upper stage that would be policy and procedures (14 CFR part consists of the Cassini Orbiter and the needed to implement it, this alternative 1216 subpart 1216.3), NASA has detachable Huygens Probe. The is no longer considered reasonable. The prepared and issued a DEIS for Phase II Huygens Probe would be released for a other mission alternative considered in of the X–33 Program, which involves parachute descent into the atmosphere the EIS was the 2001 alternative which the development and demonstration of of Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. The would use a Titan IV(SRMU)/Centaur to the X–33 test vehicle. The DEIS scientific information gathered by the launch the spacecraft from CCAS in addresses environmental issues Cassini Mission could help provide March 2001 on a Venus-Venus-Venus- associated with the preparation of the clues to the evolution of the solar Gravity-Assist trajectory. A backup flight operations (launch) and landing system and the origin of life on Earth. opportunity in May 2002 would use a sites and testing of the X–33 technology NASA issued the Final Environmental VEEGA trajectory. The 2001 alternative demonstrator spaceplane. The purpose Impact Statement for the Cassini would require completing development of the proposed test program is to Mission in July 1995 (hereinafter the and testing of a new high-performance demonstrate the feasibility of ‘‘EIS’’) followed by the associated rehenium engine for, as well as adding technology which could result in Record of Decision (ROD) to complete about 20 percent more propellant to, the commercially viable Reusable Launch preparation of the Cassini Mission for spacecraft. Science returns from this (RLVs). launch in the October 1997 opportunity, alternative would meet the minimum The reasonable alternative launch or either the secondary or backup acceptable level for the mission. sites are located within Edwards Air opportunities, and to implement the The results from the safety risk Force Base (AFB) near Lancaster, mission. analyses have recently become California. The Cassini spacecraft would carry available. The FSEIS compares this Reasonable alternative landing sites three RTG’s that use the heat of decay recent best available information with for segments of the flight test activities of plutonium dioxide to generate that presented in the EIS. The FSEIS are located at Silurian Lake, near Baker, electric power for the spacecraft and its addresses the Proposed Action, the No- California; China Lake Naval Air instruments. The spacecraft would also Action alternative, and the 2001 mission Warfare Center, near Ridgecrest, use 129 RHU’s, each containing a small alternative (which is still available to California; Dugway Proving Grounds, amount of plutonium dioxide, to NASA). near Tooele, Utah; Grant County generate heat for controlling the thermal Comments on the draft supplemental Airport, Moses Lake, Washington; and environment of the spacecraft and environmental impact statement were Malmstrom AFB, Great Falls, Montana. several of its instruments. solicited from Federal, State and local NASA is the lead agency in the The action selected and documented agencies, organizations, and members of preparation of the environmental impact in the ROD associated with the EIS the general public through: (a) notices statement. Components of the U.S. consists of completing preparations for published in the Federal Register— Department of Defense; the U.S. 36082 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 128 / Thursday, July 3, 1997 / Notices

Department of the Interior, Bureau of (o) NASA, Ames Research Center, allows the development program to Land Management; and the U.S. Moffett Field, CA 94035 (415–604– minimize risk while achieving test Department of Transportation, Federal 4190). objectives. The three stage approach Aviation Administration are acting as (p) NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, would necessitate short-range, mid- cooperating agencies. Greenbelt, MD 20771 (301–286–0730). range, and long-range landing sites to DATES: Comments on the DEIS must be (q) Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA achieve speeds of March 4, 12, and 15, submitted in writing and received by Resident Office, 4800 Oak Grove respectively. After each test flight, the NASA no later than August 18, 1997 or Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 (818–354– X–33 would be ferried back to the flight 45 days from the date of publication in 5179). operations site by a Boeing 747 aircraft the Federal Register of the U.S. (r) NASA, Johnson Space Center, in a manner similar to that used for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Houston, TX 77058 (713–483–8612). transport of Space Shuttle orbiters. The notice of availability of the X–33 DEIS, (s) NASA, Langley Research Center, test program is currently planned for a whichever is later. Hampton, VA 23665 (757–864–2497). combined total of 15 flights. (t) NASA, Lewis Research Center, 21000 Reasonable alternatives considered for ADDRESSES: Written comments should Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH this proposed action include: be addressed to Dr. Rebecca C. McCaleb, 44135 (216–433–2222). NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, —Flight operations (launch) sites: (u) NASA, Stennis Space Center, MS (a) Edwards Air Force Base, California, AE01/Building 4201, Marshall Space 39529 (601–688–2164). Flight Center, AL 35812. In addition, Space Port 2000 site, and The DEIS can be found and accessed written comments may be sent to Dr. (b) Edwards Air Force Base, California, at the following internet address: http:/ McCaleb electronically at Haystack Butte site; /eemo.msfc.nasa.gov/eemo/x33leis. ([email protected]) or by facsimile —Short-range landing sites: Limited copies of the DEIS are available, at 205–544–9259. The DEIS may be (a) Armitage Airfield, China Lake Naval on a first request basis, by contacting Dr. reviewed at the following locations: Air Warfare Center, California, and Rebecca McCaleb at the address (b) Silurian Lake, a dry lake bed, north (a) NASA Headquarters, Library, Room indicated above or Dr. Dominic Amatore of Baker, California; 1J20, 300 E Street SW, Washington, by telephone at the number provided —Mid-range landing sites: DC 20546. below. Michael Army Air Field, Dugway (b) NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Proving Ground, Utah; Library, Building 4200, Huntsville, Dominic A. Amatore, Deputy Director, —Long-range landing sites (may serve as AL 35812. Public Affairs Office, Code CA01, an alternative mid-range landing site): (c) NASA, Dryden Flight Research Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812, (a) Malmstrom Air Force Base, Great Center, Library, Building 4800, Room 205–544–6533. Falls Montana, and 2149, Edwards AFB, CA 93523. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The X–33 (b) Grant County Airport, Moses Lake, (d) NASA,Spaceport USA, Room 2001, test vehicle is planned as an Washington; and,—‘‘No Action.’’ The John F. Kennedy Space Center, FL approximately one-half scale reusable ‘‘No Action’’ alternative (i.e., absence 32899. Please call Lisa Fowler spaceplane. The vehicle would launch of the X–33 Program) would mean beforehand at 407–867–2468 so that vertically and land horizontally. The X– that the RLV Program, as planned, arrangements can be made. 33 vehicle would consist of a lifting could not proceed. (e) Kern County Library, Boron Branch, body airframe with two cryogenic liquid The DEIS considers the potential 27070 Highway 5, Boron, CA 93516. propellant tanks (liquid hydrogen (LH2) environmental impacts associated with (f) Kern County Library, Ridgecrest and liquid oxygen (LOX)) placed within the test program and related Branch, 131 East Las Flores Street, the aeroshell, and would use two linear construction/modification of facilities. Ridgecrest, CA 93555. aerospike main engines. Water would be Areas of focus include, but are not (g) Los Angeles County Library, the primary product of the LOX/LH2 necessarily limited to: noise and sonic Lancaster Branch, 1150 West Avenue combustion. The entire spaceplane booms; flight safety; surface J, Lancaster, CA 93524. (with all fuel tanks and engines) would transportation impacts; effects on (h) Palmdale City Library, 700 East launch and land as a single unit. airspace and air traffic; wildlife and Palmdale Boulevard, Palmdale, CA The flight test plan to meet the X–33 threatened and endangered species; and 93550. program objectives optimally involves cultural resources. (i) San Bernadino County Library, flights of approximately 160, 720, and Public information meetings will be Barstow Branch, 304 East Buena 1,530 kilometers (100, 450, and 950 held at the following dates, times, and Vista, Barstow, CA 92311. miles). During the landing sequence, the locations: (j) Great Falls Public Library, 301 2nd spaceplane would be unpowered. Flight (a) Monday, July 7, 1997; 7:00 p.m.; Avenue North, Great Falls, MT 59401. tests would involve speeds of up to Washington, State National Guard (k) Moses Lake Library, 418 East 5th Mach 15 and altitudes up to Armory, 6500 32nd Avenue, N.E., Street, Moses Lake, WA 98837. approximately 75,800 meters (250,000 Moses Lake, Washington 98837. (l) Dugway Proving Grounds Library, feet). None of the X–33 test flights (b) Tuesday, July 8, 1997; 6:00 p.m.; 5124 Kisstler Avenue, Dugway, UT would achieve Earth orbit. Ground Great Falls High School, 1900 Second 84022. operations and servicing (e.g., checkout, Avenue, South, Great Falls, Montana (m) Tooele Library, 47 East Vine Street, refueling, etc.) would be conducted with 59405. Tooele, UT 84074. ‘‘aircraft like’’ procedures and systems. (c) Wednesday, July 9, 1997; 7:00 p.m.; (n) Salt Lake City Library, 209 East 500 The test flight program would be Social Rehabilitative Services South, Business/Science Department, conducted in three stages, with all Auditorium, 111 Sanders Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. launches occurring from the same Helena, Montana 59601. In addition, the DEIS may be launch site. The three stages would (d) Thursday, July 10, 1997; 7:00 p.m.; examined at the following NASA involve the incremental increase of University of Idaho/Idaho State locations by contacting the pertinent distance and speed, referred to as the University, 1776 Science Center Freedom of Information Act Office: ‘‘flight envelope expansion,’’ which Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402. Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 128 / Thursday, July 3, 1997 / Notices 36083

(e) Monday, July 14, 1997; 7:00 p.m.; US confidence to the agency by grant reviewing proposal actions that will include Army Dugway Proving Grounds, Old applicants. In accordance with the privileged intellectual property and personal Post Headquarters, Building 5450, determination of the Chairman of March information that could harm individuals if Command Conference Room, Dugway, 31, 1997, these sessions will be closed they are disclosed. If discussions were open Utah 84022. to the public pursuant to subsection to the public, these matters are exempt under (f) Tuesday, July 15, 1997; 6:00 p.m.; U.S.C. (c) (4) and (6) of the Government in (c)(4), (6) and (9)(B) of section 552b of The Sunshine Act would be improperly Salt Lake City Public Library, Main Title 5, United States Code. disclosed. Library Lecture Hall, 209 East 500 Any person may observe meetings, or Dated: June 30, 1997. South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111. portions thereof, of advisory panels (g) Wednesday, July 16, 1997; 7:00 p.m.; which are open to the public, and may M. Rebecca Winkler, Tooele Senior Center, 59 East Vine be permitted to participate in the Committee Management Officer. Street, Tooele, Utah 84074. panel’s discussions at the discretion of [FR Doc. 97–17488 Filed 7–2–97; 8:45 am] (h) Monday, July 21, 1997; 7:00 p.m.; the panel chairman and with the BILLING CODE 7555±01±M Lancaster High School, 44701 32nd approval of the full-time Federal Street West, Lancaster, California employee in attendance. 93536. If you need special accommodations NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (i) Tuesday, July 22, 1997; 7:00 p.m.; due to a disability, please contact the Boron High School, 26831 Prospect Office of AccessAbility, National Special Emphasis Panel in Cross Street, Boron, California 93516. Endowment for the Arts, 1100 Disciplinary Activities; Notice of (j) Wednesday, July 23, 1997; 7:00 p.m.; Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Meeting Burroughs High School, 500 East Washington, D.C. 20506, 202/682–5532, French Street, Ridgecrest, California TDY–TDD 202/682–5496, at least seven In accordance with the Federal 93555. (7) days prior to the meeting. Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– (k) Thursday, July 24, 1997; 7:00 p.m.; Further information with reference to 463, as amended), the National Science Baker Senior Citizen Center, 73730 this meeting can be obtained from Ms. Foundation announces the following Baker Blvd., Baker, California 92309. Kathy Plowitz-Worden, Committee meeting. Benita A. Cooper, Management Officer, National Name: Special Emphasis Panel in Cross Associate Administrator for Management Endowment for the Arts, Washington, Disciplinary Activities (1193). Systems and Facilities. D.C., 20506, or call 202/682–5691. Date and Time: July 24, 1997; 8:30 a.m. to [FR Doc. 97–17405 Filed 7–2–97; 8:45 am] 5:00 p.m. Dated: June 27, 1997. Place: National Science Foundation, 4201 BILLING CODE 7510±01±M Kathy Plowitz-Worden, Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230, Panel Coordinator, Panel Operations, Room 330. National Endowment for the Arts. Contact Person: Robert Voigt, HPCC NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE [FR Doc. 97–17418 Filed 7–2–97; 8:45 am] Coordinator, CISE/OCDA, Room 1105, ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES BILLING CODE 7537±01±M National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230, (703) 306– National Endowment for the Arts; 1980. Combined Arts Panel Type of Meeting: Closed. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Purpose of Meeting: To provide advice and Pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the recommendations concerning proposals Federal Advisory Committee Act (Public Advisory Committee for Biological submitted to NSF for financial support. Law 92–463), as amended, notice is Sciences; Committee of Visitors; Agenda: To review and evaluate hereby given that a meeting of the Notice of Meeting Challenges in CISE proposals as part of the Combined Arts Advisory Panel, Theater selection process for awards. In accordance with the Federal Reason for Closing: The proposals being Section (Heritage & Preservation and Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– Education & Access categories) to the reviewed include information of a 463, as amended), the National Science proprietary or confidential nature, including National Council on the Arts will be Foundation announces the following technical information; financial data, such as held on July 28–31, 1997. The panel meeting. salaries; and personal information will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on concerning individuals associated with the July 28–30 and from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 Name: Advisory Committee for Biological Sciences; Committee of Visitors (1110). proposals. These matters are exempt under 5 p.m. on July 31, in Room 714 at the Date and Time: July 21–23, 1997; 8:30 a.m. U.S.C. 552b(c), (4) and (6) of the Government Nancy Hanks Center, 1100 Pennsylvania to 5:00 p.m. in the Sunshine Act. Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20506. Place: Room 330 & 340, National Science Dated: June 30, 1997. A portion of this meeting, from 2:30 to Foundation, 4201 Wilson boulevard, M. Rebecca Winkler, 5:30 on July 30, will be open to the Arlington, VA. Committee Management Officer. Type of Meeting: Closed. public for a discussion of policy, [FR Doc. 97–17487 Filed 7–2–97; 8:45 am] guidelines, Leadership Initiatives, and Contact Person: Dr. John C. S. Fray [Division of Integrative Biology and BILLING CODE 7555±01±M field trends and needs. Neuroscience], National Science Foundation, The remaining portions of this 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia meeting, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on 22230. Telephone: (703) 306–1420. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION July 28–29, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Purpose of Meeting: To carry out on July 30, and from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 Committee of Visitors (COV) review, Special Emphasis Panel in Polar p.m. on July 31, are for the purpose of including examination of decisions on Programs; Notice of Meeting Panel review, discussion, evaluation, proposals, reviewer comments, and other and recommendation on applications privileged materials. In accordance with the Federal Agenda: To provide oversight review of the for financial assistance under the Division of Integrative Biology and Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– National Foundation on the Arts and the Neuroscience. 463 as amended), the National Science Humanities Act of 1965, as amended, Reason for Closing: The meeting is closed Foundation announces the following including information given in to the public because the Committee is meetings: