Snow cover contamination is assessed in the impact areas of the first stage of the expandable launch system Proton in Central Kazakhstan. It was revealed that the chemical effect ofpropellants on the snow cover is local. The increase in the content of the following high-toxic substances in the snow was registered: unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine, nitrosodimethylamine, and nitrate and nitrite ions. The most part of the pollutants is localized in the upper 5-cm snow layer. Nitrogen tetroxide decreases the value of pH, and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine increases it. The inflow of calcareous soil particles to the atmosphere and their subsequent fallout result in the alkalization of snow and in the neutralization of acidification by nitrogen tetroxide accompanied by the formation ofthe salts of nitric acid and nitrous acid.

The paper presents the items on environmental monitoring (EM) of space-rocket activities in the impact zones destined for the separating parts of the second stages of vehicles, launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Implemented system of EM consists of two parts: the operational environmental monitoring and integrated research expeditions. The tasks of EM's blocks are discussed, as well as the indicators used to monitor the status of ecosystem components. The main results of environmental monitoring of one of the impact zones during the years 2011 and 2012 are given.