Space Florida Seeks Launch Site Operators License For The Facility

The FAA has published in the Federal Register a notice that it plans to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with the issuance of a Launch Site Operator License to Space Florida.

Space Florida, an independent special district and a subdivision of the State of Florida, proposes to construct and operate a commercial space launch site (the "Shiloh Launch Complex") and two off-site operations support areas. The Shiloh Launch Complex would include two vertical launch facilities that would accommodate up to 24 launches per year (12 launches per vertical launch facility), as well as up to 24 static fire engine tests or wet dress rehearsals per year (12 static fire engine tests or wet dress rehearsals per vertical launch facility).

The launch vehicles would include liquid fueled, medium- to heavy-lift class orbital and suborbital vehicles. In addition to the 24 launches per year, the first stage of the launch vehicle could return to and land at the Shiloh Launch Complex. The proposed commercial space launch site is located on the west side of Kennedy Parkway North (State Road [SR] 3), which straddles Brevard and Volusia counties, Florida. Space Florida would be required to apply for a Launch Site Operator License to be issued by the FAA.

The FAA will prepare the EIS in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA, and FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, as part of its licensing process. Concurrent with the NEPA process, the FAA is initiating National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 Consultation to determine the potential effects of the Proposed Action on historic properties.

The FAA will also consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act regarding potential impacts to federally-listed threatened and endangered species. Pursuant to the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966, this EIS will comply with the requirements of the act.

The proposed Shiloh Launch Complex is located on the west side of Kennedy Parkway North (SR 3), which straddles Brevard and Volusia counties in Florida. The proposed site is part of the NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in an area of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge that is managed by the USFWS. The proposed Shiloh Launch Complex would be constructed on approximately 200 acres of undeveloped land in the vicinity of a former citrus community known as Shiloh. Of the 200 acres, each vertical launch facility would require approximately 30 acres of fenced land. Each vertical launch facility would include a launch pad and stand with its associated flame duct, propellant storage and handling areas, vehicle and payload integration facility, storage tanks, lightning protection systems, deluge water systems, and other launch-related facilities and systems.

Based on comments received during the scoping period, the FAA may analyze additional alternatives. However, at this time, the alternatives under consideration include the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. Under the No Action Alternative, the FAA would not issue a Launch Site Operator License to Space Florida.

Two public scoping meetings will be held to solicit input from the public on potential issues that may need to be evaluated in the EIS. The first scoping meeting will be held on February 11, 2014 at the New Smyrna Beach High School Gymnasium in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The second scoping meeting will be held on February 12, 2014 from at the Eastern Florida State College, Titusville Campus.

(Artist's rendering of Shiloh launch facility provided by Space Florida)

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.spaceflorida.gov