Environmental Assessment for the Operation and Launch of the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 Space Vehicles at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Florida

An Environmental Assessment (EA) (see attached) has been prepared to evaluate the potential impacts associated with implementing the proposed Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 Launch Vehicle Program (The Falcon Program) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Florida. The EA for The Falcon Program is incorporated by reference. The Falcon Program is a commercial venture by Space Exploration Technologies, Inc. (SpaceX). Space:X is a privately held company that is developing the Falcon Program as a method to put spacecraft into orbit with high reliability and low cost basis, using launch facilities at Cape Canaveral. The Falcon Program is scheduled to assist in supplying the International Space Station (ISS) once the shuttle is retired. The Commercial Space Launch Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-575) encourages the use of government infrastructure and resources currently underutilized, inan excess capacity situation, to promote commercial investment and use of space. The Falcon Program would also meet the National Space Transportation Policy's goal to significantly reduce space transportation costs in order to make continued exploration, development, and use of space affordable.