Interview with CEO Tory Bruno: Steering United Launch Alliance into the Future of Space

Interview with Tory Bruno: Leading ULA into the Future of Space Launch

Introduction

Tory Bruno is the President and CEO of United Launch Alliance (ULA), one of the world’s most experienced and trusted launch providers. With decades of aerospace leadership behind him, Bruno has guided ULA through a period of transformation as it develops new rockets, tackles competition in the launch market, and continues to deliver critical national security and scientific missions. In our conversation, he shared his perspective on leadership, innovation, and the future of space exploration.

A Career in Aerospace

Bruno’s career has always been about solving complex problems at the cutting edge of aerospace. Before joining ULA, he worked on advanced defense and missile systems, gaining a reputation for strategic leadership and technical depth. At ULA, he has had to balance engineering rigor with the business realities of competing in a fast-changing industry. This blend of technical expertise and long-term vision has defined his leadership style.

The Role of ULA in Space Exploration

Under Bruno’s leadership, ULA has continued to support national security missions, while also enabling scientific exploration and commercial launches. ULA is known for its reliability, and Bruno emphasized how that trust is built on rigorous processes and a culture of safety. At the same time, the company is preparing for the future with the development of the Vulcan Centaur rocket, designed to be more cost-effective and competitive in a market where SpaceX and new entrants have raised the bar.

Leadership Insights

Bruno believes leadership requires more than making decisions. It is about listening to experts, building trust within teams, and ensuring that people understand the larger mission they are contributing to. He explained that aerospace is filled with highly talented individuals, each with strong ideas, and the leader’s role is to create an environment where those ideas can be refined into the best possible solutions. He also noted that leadership involves making tough calls while remaining transparent and fair.

Challenges of Building Launch Vehicles

Developing launch vehicles is among the most difficult engineering challenges in existence. Bruno highlighted the complexity of balancing performance, cost, and reliability. Rockets must be precise to fractions of a second, yet they are built in a world with supply chain issues, budgets, and deadlines. He stressed the importance of careful systems engineering and relentless testing in ensuring every launch succeeds.

Advice for Students and the Next Generation

For younger students and aspiring aerospace professionals, Bruno’s advice was clear: gain a broad set of experiences, stay curious, and focus on problems that really matter. He emphasized that aerospace requires both technical skill and a willingness to collaborate across disciplines. He encouraged students to pursue projects that push them to grow, since innovation happens at the intersection of challenge and opportunity.

The Future of ULA and Space Exploration

Looking ahead, Bruno sees ULA continuing to play a central role in both commercial and government space activity. Vulcan Centaur is a major step toward providing competitive, reliable access to orbit. He also expressed optimism about humanity’s broader future in space, from lunar missions to deeper exploration, noting that ULA is committed to enabling these goals with safe and dependable launch systems.

Conclusion

Tory Bruno has built his career around guiding teams through some of aerospace’s toughest challenges. At ULA, he continues that work by balancing tradition with innovation, ensuring reliability while preparing for the future of launch. His message to students and young professionals is simple but powerful: embrace meaningful work, seek challenges that will help you grow, and always keep sight of the broader mission.