In 1994, the National Space Transportation Policy laid the framework for appropriate government agencies to maintain strong launch systems and infrastructure while modernizing space transportation capabilities and encouraging cost reductions. More than a decade later, through combined Department of Defense (DoD) and industrial investment, the two Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) families of U.S. rockets (Atlas V and Delta IV) have proved to be maturing, reliable state-of-the-art technologies. In 2004, Congress directed the Secretary of Defense to establish a panel of experts with extensive space launch and operations background to address the future National Security Space launch requirements and the means of meeting those requirements. DoD selected RAND to facilitate and support this panel in its deliberations between May 2005 and May 2006. This report analyzes the National Security Space (NSS) Launch Requirements Panel's major findings and recommendations. In short, the Panel concludes that, because basic rocketry principles, use of chemically derived thrust, and multiple expendable stages seem certain to remain the design of choice for operational space launch vehicles, the EELV can satisfy all known and projected NSS requirements through 2020.

The EIS was prepared to analyze the potential environmental consequences of the Proposed Action and No-Action Alternative. The Proposed Action is to allow the addition of up to five strap-on solid rocket motors (SRMs) to the Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMC) Atlas V Launch vehicle and to allow the use of larger SRMs on the Boeing Delta IV launch vehicle, both of which are part of the EELV program. The launch locations for the Atlas V and Delta IV systems are Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Brevard County, Florida, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, in Santa Barbara County, California. For the analysis of the FSEIS, each contractor is assumed to launch approximately 50 percent of EELV flights involving SRMs (approximately 30 launches per year total). The No-Action Alternative is the previously approved implementation of the EELV program that was analyzed in the 1998 FEIS.

The EIS was prepared to analyze the potential environmental consequences of the Proposed Action and No-Action Alternative. The Proposed Action is the development, deployment, and operation of EELV systems. EELV systems would replace current Atlas 2A, Delta 2, and Titan 4B launch systems and are intended to meet the requirements of the U.S. Government National Executable Mission Model (NMM), both medium and heavy lift, at a lower launch cost than the present expendable launch systems. The launch locations for the program are Cape Canaveral Air Station, Brevard County, Florida, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Santa Barbara County, California. Under the Proposed Action, three concepts were examined. Concepts A and B depict each of the two EELV contractor concepts. The number of launches analyzed for each concept includes the government NMM, plus 16 commercial launches per year. Under Concept A/B, it is assumed that both contractors would complete development and operate EELV systems. For the analysis, each contractor is assumed to launch 50 percent of the combined total of EELV flights. The No-Action Alternative would be a decision not to proceed with the EELV program and continue with Atlas 2A, Delta 2, and Titan 4B launches to meet the requirements of the NMM.