Accession Number:

ADA281442

Title:

Environmental Impact Statement. Space Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Program. Particle Bed reactor Propulsion Technology Development and Validation

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE BROOKS AFB TX

Personal Author(s):

Report Date:

1993-05-01

Pagination or Media Count:

671.0

Abstract:

The PBR concept has been under study in the United States since the early 1980s. During the past decade the PBR technology has advanced to the degree that the Air Force, in carrying out its mission to investigate promising technologies for military applications, proposes to conduct validation testing of the PBR technology for space propulsion as part of its Space nuclear Thermal Propulsion SNTP program. This environmental impact statement has been prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act to analyze the potential environmental consequences of the proposed PBR construction and testing activities. The document analyzes the potential environmental impacts at two candidate test locations, the Saddle Mountain Test Station at the Nevada Test Site, and the Contained Test Facility at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, as well as the impacts of the No-Action Alternative. The analyses include infrastructure, land use, transportation, hazardous materials and hazardous waste management, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soil, noise, water resources, and health and safety. Anticipated issues related to health and safety will be addressed in facility designs and safety procedures so that applicable statutes, regulations, and permits are met or exceeded. The program would cause slight increases in utility demands, population, air emissions, and disposal of hazardous wastes. Additional small releases of radioactivity would occur due to normal operations or from an accident.

Descriptors:

• *POLLUTION ABATEMENT
• *ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
• *TEST MANAGEMENT
• *THERMAL PROPULSION SYSTEMS
• *SPACE PROPULSION
• *NUCLEAR PROPULSION
• AIR POLLUTION
• GEOLOGY
• SOILS
• WATER POLLUTION
• ENDANGERED SPECIES
• EMISSION CONTROL
• HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
• CONTRACT PROPOSALS
• PUBLIC HEALTH
• CULTURAL RESOURCES
• AIR FORCE FACILITIES
• NUCLEAR REACTORS
• HAZARDOUS WASTES

Subject Categories:

• Test Facilities, Equipment and Methods
• Nuclear Propulsion
• Unmanned Spacecraft
• Environmental Health and Safety

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE