News Archive
ULA President and CEO Tory Bruno Testifies to U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, Aviation Subcommittee
Bruno’s Full Testimony Provides Key Recommendations as Industry Looks to the Future
Centennial, Colo., June 16, 2021 – Today, United Launch Alliance (ULA) President and CEO Tory Bruno spoke to the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Aviation regarding the role of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in promoting U.S. commercial space transportation and ensuring the highest levels of public safety. Read the full testimony here.
ULA has an unmatched record of 100 percent mission success with 144 launches for the Department of Defense, NASA, and commercial customers and occupies a uniquely impressive position in U.S. space transportation. The company remains the only launch provider currently capable of meeting all national security launch needs and has launched every successful U.S. mission to Mars. As the nation’s most experienced commercial launch provider, ULA provided comments on the recent Streamlined Launch and Reentry Licensing Requirements rule.
“The future success of the U.S. commercial space transportation industry depends upon the efficiency and effectiveness of FAA licensing,” Bruno shared with the Committee. “So I applaud the organization for rising to the challenge by finding ways to reduce regulatory burdens and their attendant costs, in addition to assigning the highest priority to safety and protecting national interests.”
Bruno testified to the importance of enforcement of safety regulations, “In order to maintain the integrity of the licensing process, we need effective enforcement... it is vital that Congress provides FAA the support it needs to conduct effective oversight and enforcement of the licensing process. Responsible operators will comply with FAA regulations and licenses. Those who do not should face enforcement and impactful consequences.”
The advent of vast constellations of satellites in Low Earth Orbit has brought new opportunities to daily life here on Earth, but has raised concerns about increased risks of collisions and consequent debris, that could not only increase threats to astronauts and space objects, but also further complicate the transit of launch vehicles and payloads to their destinations and the safe disposal of rocket stages, and even render the affected orbits unusable for decades.
“As a launch provider, we have a vested interest in protecting the orbital regime so we can continue launching responsible customers to space.” Bruno said. “One way ULA remains proactive on this front is by safely disposing of our second stage rockets by placing them in a graveyard orbit or conducting a controlled reentry where most of the stage disintegrates over the remote, deep ocean.”
The foundational role of Congress is of crucial importance to the success of the FAA in regulating and promoting U.S. commercial space transportation. “U.S. commercialization of space transportation has been possible, only because Congress has remained committed to ensuring that our nation enjoys the countless, vitally important benefits enabled by this fast-growing industry, while maintaining safety as the highest priority and protecting our national security and foreign policy.” Bruno stated.
Foreign governments and multilateral organizations also have important roles to play, as the United States does not have a monopoly on satellite constellations, and accordingly, the existing international rules of conduct for space activities are revisited and new ones considered for this burgeoning area. “It is profoundly in the interest of the United States that, with the invaluable input of the FAA, our government lead the way in confronting the issues presented by megaconstellations,” added Bruno.
Bruno was called to testify to the committee to share his more than 35 years of experience in the aerospace, as well as provide key guidance and share his vision for the emerging state of the launch industry.
With more than a century of combined heritage, ULA is the nation’s most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 140 missions to orbit that aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, unlock the mysteries of our solar system, provide critical capabilities for troops in the field, deliver cutting-edge commercial services and enable GPS navigation.
For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321). Join the conversation: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
ULA President and CEO Tory Bruno Testifies to U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, Aviation Subcommittee
Bruno’s Full Testimony Provides Key Recommendations as Industry Looks to the Future
Centennial, Colo., June 16, 2021 – Today, United Launch Alliance (ULA) President and CEO Tory Bruno spoke to the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Aviation regarding the role of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in promoting U.S. commercial space transportation and ensuring the highest levels of public safety. Read the full testimony here.
ULA has an unmatched record of 100 percent mission success with 144 launches for the Department of Defense, NASA, and commercial customers and occupies a uniquely impressive position in U.S. space transportation. The company remains the only launch provider currently capable of meeting all national security launch needs and has launched every successful U.S. mission to Mars. As the nation’s most experienced commercial launch provider, ULA provided comments on the recent Streamlined Launch and Reentry Licensing Requirements rule.
“The future success of the U.S. commercial space transportation industry depends upon the efficiency and effectiveness of FAA licensing,” Bruno shared with the Committee. “So I applaud the organization for rising to the challenge by finding ways to reduce regulatory burdens and their attendant costs, in addition to assigning the highest priority to safety and protecting national interests.”
Bruno testified to the importance of enforcement of safety regulations, “In order to maintain the integrity of the licensing process, we need effective enforcement... it is vital that Congress provides FAA the support it needs to conduct effective oversight and enforcement of the licensing process. Responsible operators will comply with FAA regulations and licenses. Those who do not should face enforcement and impactful consequences.”
The advent of vast constellations of satellites in Low Earth Orbit has brought new opportunities to daily life here on Earth, but has raised concerns about increased risks of collisions and consequent debris, that could not only increase threats to astronauts and space objects, but also further complicate the transit of launch vehicles and payloads to their destinations and the safe disposal of rocket stages, and even render the affected orbits unusable for decades.
“As a launch provider, we have a vested interest in protecting the orbital regime so we can continue launching responsible customers to space.” Bruno said. “One way ULA remains proactive on this front is by safely disposing of our second stage rockets by placing them in a graveyard orbit or conducting a controlled reentry where most of the stage disintegrates over the remote, deep ocean.”
The foundational role of Congress is of crucial importance to the success of the FAA in regulating and promoting U.S. commercial space transportation. “U.S. commercialization of space transportation has been possible, only because Congress has remained committed to ensuring that our nation enjoys the countless, vitally important benefits enabled by this fast-growing industry, while maintaining safety as the highest priority and protecting our national security and foreign policy.” Bruno stated.
Foreign governments and multilateral organizations also have important roles to play, as the United States does not have a monopoly on satellite constellations, and accordingly, the existing international rules of conduct for space activities are revisited and new ones considered for this burgeoning area. “It is profoundly in the interest of the United States that, with the invaluable input of the FAA, our government lead the way in confronting the issues presented by megaconstellations,” added Bruno.
Bruno was called to testify to the committee to share his more than 35 years of experience in the aerospace, as well as provide key guidance and share his vision for the emerging state of the launch industry.
With more than a century of combined heritage, ULA is the nation’s most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 140 missions to orbit that aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, unlock the mysteries of our solar system, provide critical capabilities for troops in the field, deliver cutting-edge commercial services and enable GPS navigation.
For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321). Join the conversation: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.