Inside the Making of ULA's Next Rocket

In this week's episode of Space Minds, Tony Bruno, CEO of United Launch Alliance, sits down with host Mike Gruss. What excites Tony Bruno about Vulcan, what scares him about China, and what ranching has taught him about space.The conversation with Bruno focuses on the development of the Vulcan rocket and its strategic importance. Bruno recounts the initial decision to move away from Russian RD-180 engines due to geopolitical concerns, the challenges of selecting a new engine, and the importance of designing Vulcan for high-energy orbit missions to address future national security needs. Bruno discusses the evolving space defense landscape, the role of agile development, and the necessity for maneuverability in space. Bruno also shares insights into the broader space industry, the role of large defense contractors, and the increasing urgency of space capabilities in response to geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning China and Taiwan. Additionally, he highlights his personal motivations for writing about space and defense topics and the importance of humanizing the space industry.