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.
Has Horowitz given a reason for leaving? It isn’t the standard “gotta spend more time with the family” canard, is it?
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).