Tory Bruno Ousted: United Launch Alliance CEO Resigns
- After nearly a decade leading the joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, Tory Bruno will transition out of his role as CEO of United launch Alliance (ULA),...
- Tory Bruno assumed the role of ULA's CEO in 2014, inheriting a company built on the reliable, but increasingly expensive, Atlas V and Delta IV rockets.
- The retirement of the Atlas V and Delta IV led to a period of downsizing for ULA, with layoffs and facility closures in Florida, California, Alabama, Colorado, and...
“`html
Tory Bruno Steps Down as CEO of United Launch Alliance
Table of Contents
After nearly a decade leading the joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, Tory Bruno will transition out of his role as CEO of United launch Alliance (ULA), effective immediately. The move comes as ULA navigates a challenging period of transition and increased competition from SpaceX.
A Decade of Transition at ULA
Tory Bruno assumed the role of ULA’s CEO in 2014, inheriting a company built on the reliable, but increasingly expensive, Atlas V and Delta IV rockets. he spearheaded the development of the Vulcan Centaur rocket, intended to replace those legacy systems and offer a more competitive launch solution.Spaceflight Now reported the declaration on May 16, 2024.
The transition hasn’t been without hurdles. The retirement of the Atlas V and Delta IV led to a period of downsizing for ULA, with layoffs and facility closures in Florida, California, Alabama, Colorado, and Texas. In a further sign of ULA’s troubles, SpaceX won a majority of US military launch contracts for the first time last year.Defense One detailed SpaceX’s gains in the military launch market on August 23, 2023.
Bruno’s Public Persona and Internal Challenges
Bruno, 64, served as a genial public face for ULA amid the company’s challenging times. He routinely engaged with space enthusiasts on social media, fielded questions from reporters, and even started a podcast.Bruno’s pleasant and accessible demeanor was unusual among industry leaders, especially those with ties to large legacy defense contractors.
However, Bruno’s plans did not always enjoy full support from ULA’s corporate owners. For example, Boeing and Lockheed initially only approved tranches of funding for developing the new Vulcan rocket on a quarterly basis. Beginning before Bruno’s arrival and extending into his tenure as CEO,ULA’s owners reportedly stifled innovative work. Ars Technica reported in 2019 on allegations that Boeing suppressed propellant technology development within ULA.
The Vulcan Centaur and ULA’s future
The Vulcan Centaur rocket successfully completed its inaugural flight on January 8, 2024, carrying the Peregrine lunar lander. NASA’s mission page provides details on the Peregrine mission and the Vulcan launch. While the Peregrine lander experienced technical difficulties after deployment, the Vulcan rocket itself performed as expected.
Despite the successful first flight, ULA faces ongoing competition from SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets, which offer significantly lower launch costs. The table below compares the approximate costs of several launch vehicles (as of May 2024):
| launch Vehicle | Approximate Cost per Launch (USD) |
|---|---|
| SpaceX Falcon 9 | $67 million |
| SpaceX Falcon Heavy | $90 – $150 million |
| ULA Vulcan Centaur | $110 – $150 million |
| ULA Delta IV Heavy (Retired) | $350 million+ |