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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 – Part 415.103.

Related Documents

Guidelines

• Guidelines for Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Related Environmental Review Statutes for the Licensing of Commercial Launches and Launch Sites (PDF) (2/22/2001)

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)
• Sea Launch Limited Partnership - Final Launch Operator License Environmental Assessment
  • Cover, Table of Contents (PDF)
    • Figure es-1 (PDF)
    • Figure es-2 (PDF)
  • Sections 1-3 (PDF)
    • Figure 2-1 (PDF)
    • Figure 2-3 (PDF)
    • Figure 3-1 (PDF)
    • Figure 3-2 (PDF)
    • Figure 3-3 (PDF)
    • Figure 3-4 (PDF)
    • Figure 3-5 (PDF)
    • Figure 3-6 (PDF)
    • Figure 3-7 (PDF)
    • Figure 3-8 (PDF)
    • Figure 3-9 (PDF)
    • Figure 3-10 (PDF)
  • Sections 4-8 (PDF)
    • Figure 4-1 (PDF)
    • Figure 4-2 (PDF)
  • Appendix A chapters 1-3 (PDF)
  • Appendix A chapters 4-7 (PDF)
  • Appendix A section A (PDF)
  • Appendix A section B (PDF)
  • Appendix A section C-E (PDF)
  • Appendix B (PDF)
  • Appendix C (PDF)
  • Appendix D (PDF)
  • Appendix E (PDF)
  • Final Launch Operator License Comment Response Document (PDF)
  • Final Environmental Finding Document for the Launch Operator License Environmental Assessment (PDF)
• Sea Launch Limited Partnership - Final Environmental Assessment for the Sea Launch Project
  • Sections 1-3 (PDF)
  • Sections 4-7 (PDF)
  • Appendix A (PDF)
  • Appendix B (PDF)
  • Appendix C-E (PDF)
  • Final Environmental Finding Document for the Sea Launch
  • PDF version (PDF)
• Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Licensing Launches
  • Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Licensing Launches (PDF) (5/21/2001)
  • Final Comment Response Document for the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Licensing Launches (PDF)
  • Record of Decision for the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Licensing Launches (PDF)
• Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for Commercial Reentry Vehicles
  • Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Commercial Reentry Vehicles (PDF) (5/28/1992)

Cooperating Agencies and Documents (Additional Guidelines)

• Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Environmental Impact Statement (EELV EIS)
  • Final EELV Environmental Impact Statement 1998 (PDF)
  • Final EELV Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision (PDF)
  • EELV Finding of No Practicable Alternative (PDF)
• Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EELV SEIS)
  • Final EELV Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (PDF)
  • Final EELV Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision (PDF)
• U.S. Air Force Quick Reaction Launch Vehicle (QRLV) Environmental Assessment
  • Final U.S. Air Force QRLV Environmental Assessment (PDF)
  • Final Finding of No Significant Impact for the QRLV Environmental Assessment (PDF)
• U.S. Air Force Atmospheric Interceptor Technology (AIT) Environmental Assessment
  • Full EA File (PDF)
  • Finding of No Significant Impact for the AIT Environmental Assessment
  • PDF version (PDF)