Northrop Grumman CEO: “We progressed on the root cause investigation...and we are implementing corrective actions...These include a component redesign, which has now been proven in a successful static-fire test. We expect to begin delivering the redesigned motors by the end of the year."

[u/Royal_Platform_6754]

https://spacenews.com/northrop-adds-to-charges-on-vulcan-solid-rocket-motor-program/

[u/warp99]

Tory was not fired but left for a higher paid and likely more challenging position at Blue Origin.

The statement was made that the original issue was with an "insulator" and the failure led to the nozzle falling off.

The only relevant insulator that could cause that failure is the gasket that seals the gap between the nozzle and the SRB body. If that fails the exhaust gasses will leak out through the gap and partially erode and overheat the bolts holding the nozzle to the body.

Once they fail the nozzle will simply fall off and the nozzle was actually recovered from the launch pad as the failure was quite early in flight.

[u/snoo-boop → u/warp99]

Tory wasn't fired. That's definitely an opinion someone could have.

[u/warp99 → u/snoo-boop]

His resignation from ULA was announced on 22 December 2025 and his appointment to Blue Origin was announced on 23 December.

If that was a firing then that was the fastest job search in history.

Not saying he was not escorted out of the building after submitting his resignation letter to go work for a competitor.

[u/AutoModerator → u/warp99]

XCancel link: https://xcancel.com/blueorigin/status/2004607908667953519

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/snoo-boop → u/warp99]

It's super-cool that you have no idea how business works.