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'r' Kestr Management Town of Vermont Risk Assessment Report Table 4: Noise- Upper Stage Engine Testins (beginning approx. 2025) Test Phase Typical Maximum Projected Maximums Sound 90 - 95 dba 100 dba 100 dba Developmental 1-2 test/day 3 tests/day Testing 3-4 1.5 minutes/day days/week 5 days/week 7.5 minutes/week 10-20 30 6.5 hours/year seconds/test seconds/test 10-20 25 Qualification tests/year tests/year Testing 5-10 10 4.2 hours/year minutes/test minutes/test Kestrel reviewed several articles and technical papers regarding research and opinions related to sound/noise transmission and its potential effects on humans, as well as wild and domesticated animals. The literature was provided by Orbitec; Patricia McConnell, Ph.D. via Town of Vermont; and our own additional Internet research (see Table 1 above). While the literature reviewed did not speak directly to the specific situation and conditions at the testing site (rural area with significant topographic relief, densely forested surroundings, engine testing for relatively short periods of time), most of the researchers/authors posed questions as to the effects of aircraft or highway-produced noise to both wild and domestic animals. But, most studies concluded that there was little to no effect on animal behavior. With regard to sonic boom studies, all domesticated farm and wild animals showed a behavioral startle when first experiencing a sonic boom, but their reaction was usually slight and they seemed to adapt readily to further booms. Orbitec plans to construct and operate an active sound suppression system to be used when the upper stage engines are tested. The active sound suppression system uses jets of water that absorb sound energy when converting to steam. The topographic setting of the proposed test facility (Photo 3) lends itself well to shielding noise from most neighboring properties, deflecting sound vertically instead of propagating it horizontally. Based on this setting, the maximum sound pressure levels expected, the relatively brief and infrequent nature of the tests, and the future implementation of an active sound suppression system for upper stage engine testing, it appears that noise concerns are/can be successfully mitigated at the site by Orbitec. Fuel Storage and Spill Prevention Fuels and other fluids used during testing will be stored in bulk at the site. One particular fuel, RP-1, is essentially kerosene, a petroleum oil product, while all others are liquefied gases such as liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen, liquid methane, and liquid nitrogen. Water for sound suppression and propane for building heating will also be stored onsite. Tanks to store these liquids will be purchased from tank vendors or fuel/gas providers and will be designed and constructed using the materials, accessories, �� — Page 6