Historical Note:
Scope and Contents
Conditions Governing Access
Conditions Governing Use
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Preferred Citation:
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives
Title: Boeing Company, Rocketdyne Propulsion and Power, Santa Susana Field Laboratory
Activities Reports Collection
Creator:
Rockwell International. Rocketdyne Division
Identifier/Call Number: URB.ROCK
Physical Description:
138.36 linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1985-2023
Abstract: The Santa Susana Field Laboratories
(SSFL) was established by Rockwell International in 1946. SSFL comprises approximately 2,700
acres located in the southeastern section of Ventura County. Rocket engine testing began at
the SSFL in the 1940s. Research conducted at SSFL since its activities began has proved to
generate hazardous waste.Two major investigations (1982 and 1990) have been completed and
continual oversight activities of the area by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Regional
Water Control Board have closely documented the cleanup activities at SSFL. In December
1996, Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell, as well as the Santa Susana Field Laboratories became
a subsidiary of Boeing North American, Inc. The collection includes action plans, assessment
and investigative reports, and bimonthly and quarterly monitoring reports conducted by
various environmental consulting firms and government agencies.
Language of Material:
English.
Historical Note:
The Rockwell International Corporation established the Santa Susana Field Laboratories
(SSFL) in 1946. SSFL comprises approximately 2,700 acres located in the southeastern section
of Ventura County. The site is adjacent to the western edge of the San Fernando Valley just
west of Chatsworth, extending to the western edge of the San Fernando Valley in the Simi
Hills. Communities surrounding the site include Santa Susana Knolls, Bell Canyon and
Lakeside Park.
Rocket engine testing began at the SSFL in the 1940s. Between 1953 and 1961 over 8,000
tests on rocket engines and fuel were completed at the site, many related to the early
Apollo space missions. During the 1970s and 1980s SSFL was used primarily to test engines
for NASA's space shuttle program. The SSFL site is used today to build and test engines for
the Atlas and Delta projects.
Research conducted at SSFL has generated hazardous wastes in the atmosphere, local
groundwater, and soil. In 1980, SSFL was permitted by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency as a "waste pile," and in 1982 it was "clean closed." In 1989, SSFL was granted
status as a thermal treatment facility. Wastes used at the site included used propellants
and reactive/ignitable scraps from research and development operations, as well as several
solvents and kerosene used in cleaning up stored explosives.
Major investigations were completed in 1982 and 1990, both of which include laboratory
analysis of soil samples, and continual oversight activities of the area by the U.S.
Department of Energy and the Regional Water Control Board have closely documented cleanup
activities. Dangers of contamination to the public and the environment since the 1990
investigations have been shown to be eliminated. Currently, SSFL is in the process of
closing. Detailed plans for the closure have been prepared, and the site will continue to be
monitored as activities continue well into the next century.
In December 1996, the Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell, as well as the Santa Susana Field
Laboratories became a subsidiary of Boeing North American, Inc. Shortly thereafter to Boeing
North American, Inc. became Boeing Company Rocketdyne Propulsion & Power. Cleanup
activities at the site continue under the direction of the Boeing Company and the U.S.
Department of Energy. Additional environmental reports and community studies continue to be
added to the collection several times a year.
Scope and Contents
The
Boeing Company, Rocketdyne Propulsion and Power, Santa Susana
Field Laboratory Activities Reports Collection
contains action plans, assessment
and investigative reports, annual, bimonthly and quarterly monitoring reports conducted by
various environmental consulting firms, Rocketdyne staff, California Department of Health
Services, California Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy at
the Santa Susana Field Laboratories. The collection also includes attachments comprised of
permits, correspondence, fact sheets, maps, memoranda, community newsletters, and notices of
community workgroup meetings. Subjects of particular interest covered in the reports and
related papers include environmental concerns such as air, groundwater and soil pollution
and management.
Portions of the collection are arranged in alphabetical order by subject, title or author,
while others are arranged in chronological order. Where noted through a letter of
transmittal, a document reference number has been given to each document. The document
reference number assigned by the Rockwell International or the Boeing Company is included in
the record descriptions for better access to researchers and the public.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of
this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge.
Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials
protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires
the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any
use rests exclusively with the user.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Rocketdyne Division, Rockwell International Corporation, 04/1990
Preferred Citation:
For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style
manual, or see the
Citing Archival Materials
guide.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Documents