Environmental Assessment: Single Stage Rocket Technology DC-X Test Program
Abstract
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500- 1508), and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 6050.1 direct that decision-makers take into account environmental consequences when authorizing or approving major federal actions. This environmental assessment (EA) evaluates the environmental consequences of conducting activities for the SSRT test program. The purpose of the proposed action is to provide SDIO with a suborbital, recoverable rocket (SRR) capable of lifting up to 3,000 pounds of payload to an altitude of 1.5 million feet; returning to the launch site for a precise soft landing; with the capability to launch for another mission within three to seven days. To support these requirements, the proposed action involves validation and testing of a DC-X vehicle. Component assembly of the vehicle will take place at Scaled Composites, Inc., Mojave, CA; Chicago Bridge and Iron, Cordova, AL; Pratt and Whitney, West Palm Beach, FL, Aerojet, Sacramento, CA; and McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Company, Beach, CA. Static test firing activities will occur at NASA/White Sands Test Facility Huntington (WSTF), WSMR, New Mexico, and launch activities will occur at White Sands Space Harbor (WSSH), WSMR, New Mexico. No significant impacts are anticipated to the environment at the engineering contractor facilities, NASA/WSTF, or WSSH.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA252707
Entities
Organizations
- Ballistic Missile Defense Organization