ULA CEO Tory Bruno Outlines plans for Vulcan and beyond

Date:
Thu, 07 Aug 2025 17:54:47 +0000

Description:
In a teleconference ahead of the United Launch Alliances (ULA) first mission for the U.S. The post ULA CEO Tory Bruno Outlines plans for Vulcan and beyond appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com .

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In a teleconference ahead of the United Launch Alliances (ULA) first mission for the U.S. Space Force (USSF) with its Vulcan rocket, President and CEO
Tory Bruno shared insights on a range of topics, from SpaceXs Starship operations at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to ULAs reuse technologies and
future launch infrastructure.

Starships Impact on Launch Operations at KSC

Bruno addressed the ongoing licensing process for SpaceXs Starship at KSC , describing it as an interesting vehicle of unprecedented size. He noted that the requested high launch rate necessitates a comprehensive review by the
U.S. Space Force and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Starship Pad work at 39A, via D Wise for NSF

In a likely reference to Eastern Range availability , Bruno wants this analysis to cover not only ecological impacts but also the broader launch environment.

There are certain operations you cant do on a pad when another vehicle is fuelled, due to the energetics associated with that.'

Focusing on ULAs association with national defense missions, Bruno emphasized the importance of ensuring that national launch capacity expands rather than contracts, stating, The analysis has to ensure that the capacity of our
nation is greater, and not smaller.

Advancements in SMART Reuse Technology

A key highlight was ULAs progress on SMART Reuse, a system aimed at
recovering and reusing booster components to reduce costs. Bruno announced that the critical design review for key components is complete, paving the
way for building flight-like hardware for certification.

As development progresses, ULA plans to relocate more components to the aft section of the booster for recovery. By the time that path is finished,
pretty much the only thing being discarded from the booster will be the fuel tanks, he said.

Experimental flights incorporating SMART Reuse could begin as early as 2026, or at least by 2027, but only when aligned with customer needs.

Bruno acknowledged that the technology adds weight, necessitating parallel performance improvements to the Vulcan rocket, noting that performance upgrades might precede full reuse implementation for optimal timing.

Looking ahead, Bruno hinted at further innovations: Recovering the aft of the booster is not the end of the journey for us. He suggested that expanded
reuse could boost Vulcans launch cadence.

Exploring Private Spaceports and Infrastructure Challenges

While ULA remains committed to its current bases at Cape Canaveral Space
Force Station and Vandenberg Space Force Base, Bruno revealed that the
company is studying literally everything regarding potential new sites. However, establishing a new launch site for Vulcan would require several years, and theres no immediate push for it. New photo of Wallops launch site via Rocket Lab

Wallops Island was singled out as an attractive option due to its existing infrastructure and favorable launch inclinations. This East Coast site has gained traction in recent years, with the addition of Rocket Labs Electron
and home base for Neutron , along with the upcoming NG/Firefly Eclipse rocket .

In the near term, Bruno urged the government to share more insights on range demands to optimize open launch windows and ensure reliable infrastructure
for all providers.

BE-4 Engine Performance and Collaboration with Blue Origin BE-4 flight engines being installed on Vulcan, via ULA

Bruno praised Blue Origins BE-4 engines, which power Vulcan, saying they are now performing beautifully.

Although Blue Origin initially set the pace for development and production ramp-up, they are now meeting ULAs needs effectively. Dont tell Dave Limp,
but they might be an engine or two ahead, Bruno quipped.

He noted that planned performance increases in the BE-4 will benefit both
ULAs Vulcan and Blue Origins New Glenn rocket.

Excitement for Sierra Spaces Dream Chaser

Bruno expressed enthusiasm for Sierra Spaces Dream Chaser spacecraft, calling it a really cool vehicle. ULA has arrangements to support up to six Dream Chaser missions on Vulcan, with Bruno stating, Well fit them in. Sawyer Rosenstien ( @thenasaman ) gained an update on @SierraSpaceCo 's Dream Chaser status from ISS Program Manager Dana Weigel today.

"They're working really hard. I think everyone really underestimates what it takes to put together a complex spacecraft. I mean, you're watching pic.twitter.com/GQZzbnqfJG

NSF NASASpaceflight.com (@NASASpaceflight) August 1, 2025



He deferred to Sierra Space for any announcements on specific dates, which recently informed NSF that they expect to be able to provide an update for their certification path toward their maiden flight in the coming weeks.

Launch Cadence and Site Updates

ULA anticipates a robust schedule, aiming for about two launches per month across its Atlas and Vulcan fleets in 2025 and 2026, unless something interesting happens.Bruno expressed confidence in achieving nine launches
this year, bolstered by the completion of a new Vertical Integration Facility (VIF) and Mobile Launch Platform (MLP), enabling parallel rocket assembly.

See Also Vulcan Updates ULA Forum Section NSF Store Click here to Join L2

The payload mix is projected at a 60:40 ratio of government to commercial missions through 2027. Challenges in the industry, such as supply chain disruptions from COVID and shortages of skilled tradespeople like structural welders and cryogenics experts, were acknowledged as ongoing hurdles.

At Space Launch Complex-41 (SLC-41), new railroad tracks to VIF-A are
expected online this year, with initial Vulcan flights supporting Amazons Project Kuiper constellation. The launch schedule for these missions will be announced by the customer, Amazon.

On the West Coast, SLC-3 is 76-77% complete and nearing certification, potentially by years end.

Despite labor and equipment shortages amid widespread aerospace
infrastructure builds, Bruno hopes for the first government launches from the site soon, with announcements coming from the government. Shiny new infrastructure at SLC-3, VSFB California. Heading towards launching Vulcan from the west coast soon. pic.twitter.com/G6rTJOE4PZ

Tory Bruno (@torybruno) July 29, 2025



As the Vulcan prepares for its USSF debut, Bruno used the conference to underscore ULAs proactive stance in a rapidly evolving space sector, with the goal of balancing innovation with operational reliability to meet growing demands from both government and commercial clients.

Feature Image: Vulcan ahead of launch at the Cape via ULA). Summary X post from Ryan Caton below: President & CEO of @ULAlaunch , @ToryBruno , just hosted a teleconference ahead of Vulcan's first USSF mission here's some interesting details, including: Private Spaceports, SMART Reuse, and Starship at KSC:

Starship at KSC Starship is an interesting vehicle. Its not just pic.twitter.com/CLoFmKxSfF

Ryan Caton (@dpoddolphinpro) August 7, 2025





The post ULA CEO Tory Bruno Outlines plans for Vulcan and beyond appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com .



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Link to news story: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2025/08/ula-bruno-vulcan-and-beyond/


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