July 13, 2007
Doc Out

Scott Horowitz is leaving -- NASA's Exploration Chief to Step Down:

After leaving the astronaut corps in 2004, Horowitz joined Alliant Techsystems as its director of exploration and space transportation. In that role, Horowitz vigorously pushed for using the space shuttle solid-rocket booster (SRB) as the basis for NASA's next crewed launch vehicle.
In 2005, before Horowitz rejoined NASA, the agency selected the four segment SRB-based crew launch vehicle design over competing designs that would have made use of the Atlas 5 or Delta 4 rockets developed under the U.S. Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program.
The main stage of the Ares I crew launch vehicle is being built for NASA by Alliant Techsystems.
It's unlikely this far along, but it would be nice if he could take his brainchild with him when he goes.

Posted by T.L. James on July 13, 2007 09:42 AM | TrackBack

Comments

Has Horowitz given a reason for leaving? It isn't the standard "gotta spend more time with the family" canard, is it?



Posted by: Aaron_J at July 23, 2007 09:14 PM

That was indeed the reason given. Sometimes it's true, but it's such a cliche -- and has such a strong odor of "I'm resigning to escape a scandal" -- that you'd think those in public positions would be leery of using it (even when true).



Posted by: T.L. James at July 25, 2007 10:54 PM