Regulacje i polityka gospodarcza · 2.10.1997

National Environmental Policy Act; X-33 Program: Vehicle Design and Flight Demonstration

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and NASA policy and procedures (14 CFR Part 1216 Subpart 1216.3), NASA has prepared and issued an FEIS for continuation of Phase II of the X-33 Program, which involves the development and demonstration of the X-33 test vehicle. The FEIS addresses environmental issues associated with the testing of the X-33 technology demonstrator spaceplane, and preparation of the flight operations (launch) and landing sites. The purpose of the proposed test program is to demonstrate the feasibility of technology which could result in commercially viable Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLVs). The reasonable alternative launch sites are located within Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) near Lancaster, California. Reasonable alternative landing sites evaluated for segments of the flight test activities are located at Silurian Lake, near Baker, California; China Lake Naval Air Weapon Station, near Ridgecrest, California; Dugway Proving Ground, near Tooele, Utah; Grant County Airport, Mose