I am a software developer at my company. I have worked for 3 projects and have had success. As a consequence, my skills and leadership acumen have been inflated and passed up the chain of command.
I now find myself removed from a stable project and placed into a rapid prototype project with high expectations of success. This placement was a direct request from some individual in higher management. I do not know who this person is.
For multiple reasons I do not wish to be on the rapid prototype project. I have project opportunities in another division away from the current management chain. I want to pursue these other opportunities but am unsure about the political impact this decision will have on my career going forward.
It is possible for me to reassign to another project without management consent but that approach is quite heavy-handed.
How can I tactfully ask for a project reassignment without burning the hand that placed me into my current project?
Update
Aligned myself according to @IDrinkandIKnowThings answer and placed transfer request to management.
Request was denied due to "importance" to the project/division growth. Communications of my discomfort are falling on deaf ears.