Tory Bruno, the CEO of SpaceX rival United Launch Alliance, has resigned after twelve years. According to the company, he is leaving to pursue another opportunity. United Launch Alliance chairs Robert Lightfoot and Kay Sears expressed gratitude for Bruno’s service and leadership.
Bruno’s departure comes as newer private spaceflight companies increasingly drive the launch market. Elon Musk’s SpaceX has dramatically increased its launch cadence in recent years, while Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin is emerging as a more serious competitor following the largely successful inaugural missions of its New Glenn heavy-lift rocket.
ULA, now twenty years old, was formed by combining the space launch divisions of defense contractors Boeing and Lockheed Martin. It served as a primary provider for NASA and the Department of Defense until SpaceX began winning key contracts.
One of Bruno’s most significant projects was overseeing the development of ULA’s next-generation Vulcan rocket. The project aimed to help ULA compete with SpaceX and reduce the U.S. government’s reliance on Russian rockets for space access.
The Vulcan design incorporated parts from prior ULA rockets like Atlas and Delta to control costs, while relying on Blue Origin for its engines. Development suffered numerous delays, with the rocket finally making its first flight in 2024, a full decade after the program began. During that period, SpaceX solidified its position as the world’s dominant launch provider.
ULA’s Vulcan rocket has secured customers including Amazon, for its low Earth orbit internet satellites, and the space startup Astrobotic. The company is also exploring ways to make the rockets more reusable and develop upgraded versions capable of carrying heavier payloads.
In a statement, Bruno said it was a privilege to lead ULA through its transformation and to bring Vulcan into service, noting his work there is now complete. ULA has appointed its chief operating officer, John Elbon, as interim CEO while it searches for a permanent replacement.