NASA Moves RLEP Program from ARC to MSFC

Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) Associate Administrator Scott Horowitz has decided to pull the RLEP (Robotic Lunar Exploration Program) program office out of NASA ARC (where it was put less than a year ago) and is moving it to MSFC.

It seems that Sen. Shelby (R-AL) and MSFC Center Director Dave King complained loudly about a number of things and wanted to have the program moved to MSFC.

Horowitz is apparently concerned about the initial cost estimates ($1.2 – 1.4 billion) for MSFC’s RLEP-2 and has asked that the entire RLEP effort be “reconceived”.

Horowitz reportedly has asked for three classes of RLEP missions with cost caps at $100 million, $200 million, and $300 million respectively. Apparently there will be a new round of RLEP proposals requested soon.

Earlier Posts

– RLEP Changes at NASA HQ
– Letter from NASA ESMD Deputy Doug Cooke Regarding Robotic Lunar Exploration Program 2 Roles
– NASA ARC Internal Memo: Message from the Director Robotic Lunar Exploration Program at Ames
– NASA ARC Internal Memo: Message from the Deputy Director – RLEP Mission 2 Competition