National Aeronautics and Space Administration September 11, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) 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 intends to conduct scoping and prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Mars 2020 mission. NASA is seeking input on environmental issues and concerns associated with the proposed action, as well as alternatives that should be addressed in the EIS. The mission would fly a near-duplicate of the Mars Science Laboratory mission's rover, Curiosity, outfitted with new scientific instruments. The mission would be designed to seek signs of past life on Mars, collect and store a compelling set of soil and rock samples that could be returned to Earth in the future, and test new technology to benefit future robotic and human exploration of Mars. The Proposed Action is to continue preparation for and implement the Mars 2020 mission. The Mars 2020 mission would launch the spacecraft from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Brevard County, Florida during the summer of 2020. NASA would select the launch vehicle for the mission through NASA's launch services procurement process. There is a backup launch opportunity for the mission during the summer of 2022. The baseline mission plan would include the use of one multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator (MMRTG) for rover electrical power and temperature control while on the surface of Mars. Some science instruments may require the use of small quantities of radioactive material for instrument calibration or for experimentation. Environmental impacts to be considered in the EIS are those impacts associated with a normal launch from CCAFS, and radiological and non-radiological risks associated with a potential launch accident.