Why did ULA CEO Tory Bruno resign?

Tory Bruno resigned after 12 years to pursue a new opportunity.

What was Tory Bruno's major project at ULA?

Bruno's key project was overseeing the development of ULA's Vulcan rocket.

How is ULA positioned against SpaceX and Blue Origin?

ULA faces increasing competition from SpaceX and Blue Origin, prompting its development of the Vulcan rocket.

Home / Business and Economy / ULA CEO Resigns Amidst Space Race Shake-up

ULA CEO Resigns Amidst Space Race Shake-up

23 Dec, 2025

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Summary

ULA CEO Tory Bruno resigned after 12 years to pursue new opportunities.
Bruno oversaw the development of ULA's next-gen Vulcan rocket.
His departure coincides with increased competition from SpaceX and Blue Origin.

ULA CEO Resigns Amidst Space Race Shake-up

Tory Bruno, the CEO of United Launch Alliance (ULA), has announced his resignation after 12 years leading the company. Bruno stated he is stepping down to "pursue another opportunity," with ULA chairs Robert Lightfoot and Kay Sears expressing gratitude for his service and leadership.

Bruno's tenure was marked by significant projects, most notably the development of ULA's Vulcan rocket. This next-generation vehicle was designed to compete with the growing capabilities of private spaceflight companies like SpaceX and reduce U.S. reliance on Russian rocket technology. Despite numerous delays, Vulcan finally launched for the first time in 2024, a decade after its development began.

Bruno's resignation occurs as newer companies, including Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, are increasingly dominating the launch market. ULA, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, has secured customers for Vulcan, including Amazon and Astrobotic, and is exploring reusability for future missions. John Elbon has been appointed interim CEO.