NASA Press Release 97-254
November 5, 1997
NASA COMPLETES X-33 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT PROCESS
NASA yesterday completed its Record of Decision (ROD) on the X-33 Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS), announcing it intends to proceed with the preferred X-33
flight test program as described in the Final EIS issued Oct. 3.
Signing of the decision document yesterday by Dr. Robert E. Whitehead, NASA Associate
Administrator for Aeronautics and Space Transportation Technology, concludes a 12-month
EIS process of assessing the development and flight test of the X-33, a subscale
technology demonstrator prototype of a Reusable Launch Vehicle.
All 15 test flights of the X-33 will be conducted from the launch site at Haystack
Butte on the eastern portion of Edwards Air Force Base, CA, to landing sites at Michael
Army Air Field, Dugway Proving Ground, UT, and Malmstrom Air Force Base near Great
Falls, MT.
A third landing site, Silurian Lake, a dry lake bed near Baker, CA, had been
considered for use as a short-range landing site. However, flights into Dugway's
airfield some 450 miles from Edwards better match the initial flight demonstration
requirements.
The X-33 environmental study considered issues such as public safety, noise,
impacts on general aviation, and effects on biological, natural and other resources.
Two launch sites and five landing sites were evaluated for potential use. The
final decision on a flight test program was based on programmatic, technical, and
other considerations as well as environmental factors. Overall, environmental impacts
of the program are expected to be low at all operational sites.
Now that the environmental process for the X-33 has been completed, the next
major program milestone is groundbreaking for the launch facility at Edwards Air
Force Base. Construction crews are scheduled to begin work this week. Construction
is scheduled to be completed within a year.
NOTE TO EDITORS: The two-volume Final Environmental Impact Statement is available
on the Internet at URL (approximately 1,025 pages with appendices):
http://eemo.msfc.nasa.gov/eemo/x33_eis
Print versions of the document are available for review in the NASA Headquarters
and Marshall Space Flight Center newsrooms.
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