Apologies for the X links, but that’s where Tory is. I’ve extracted the relevant tweets here:

Tory: https://x.com/torybruno/status/1819828074994901479

Been asked about our photo policy: This applies to media that we allow inside the fence & onto our pad. We prefer to reserve this very limited & privileged access for educational and editorial purposes, rather than for personal business use.


https://x.com/MZietzke/status/1819831643210727803

Do you pay those photographers for their educational and editorial work?

Tory: https://x.com/torybruno/status/1819832224356991030

No. They are media

https://x.com/MZietzke/status/1819833695546777918

Then the effect of the policy is to get less of what you claim to want.

It’s your choice to enforce whatever restrictions y’all want, but preventing people from monetizing their work just means you get less of their work.

And, it just makes it look like you want to have a middle manager’s attitude toward micromanaging what media gets shown about your hardware, which just tarnishes the educational value of the photos, and taints all editorializing as being skewed to fit your editorial vision rather than those of the third party actually doing the work.

It’s a poorly considered policy.


https://x.com/Hawkinzs/status/1819831239731286214

What’s the downside of the previous policy?

Tory: https://x.com/torybruno/status/1819832818278518821

There is a limited number of people we can allow onto the pad itself


https://x.com/maxwestphotos/status/1819828694321680816

Thank you for the statement, does this mean photographers without a press pass can still sell photos?

Tory: https://x.com/torybruno/status/1819834435807891459

This only applies to the few people we are able to accommodate on the actual launch pad

https://x.com/maxwestphotos/status/1819834616305582289

Thank you.


https://x.com/DJEsmeraldMusic/status/1819828632522829931

It doesn’t make sense. Literally that’s the most efficient way to sell your rocket. And its free.

Tory: https://x.com/torybruno/status/1819835995459629076

The pad cannot hold everyone one who wants access. It is both inconvenient and expensive for us to accommodate remote camera set up during a launch campaign. Choosing the education and editorial users. Far easier for us not to allow anyone inside the fence…

https://x.com/DJEsmeraldMusic/status/1819838002283077891

That doesn’t have anything to do with this. Just limit how many people can go, but do not ban them from selling. It is not easy to set up remote cameras; they should get paid for their work.


https://x.com/SawyerMerritt/status/1819827482771755516

There is no need for you to crack down on hobbyist photographers.

Tory: https://x.com/torybruno/status/1819836311156744658

We aren’t


https://x.com/space_jm_/status/1819829523614986311

I understand your point but in this way, you’re making the job of the many talented photographers unsustainable. This is only gonna backfire in the photography and in the space community. Nobody else does this, it’s completely uncalled for.

Tory: https://x.com/torybruno/status/1819833668652937693

You m might want to check what others do…

Eric Berger: https://x.com/SciGuySpace/status/1819838356915667091

I did. No other launch providers who enable media access have any restrictions like those now imposed by ULA.


I’m still not entirely clear on why ULA are doing this. Do you think Tory’s statements are fair? Are there aspects which have been left unsaid?

  • toast
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    1 month ago

    Thanks for this post. I do wonder what prompted this. Is it related to ULA being up for sale? Is it directed at an individual who has caused issues in the past? Have news agencies complained? Could be anything. I just hope it gets enough pushback that other companies will shy away from moves like this

    • threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.worksOPM
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      1 month ago

      I just hope it gets enough pushback that other companies will shy away from moves like this

      Already, James Gleeson (Communications Director at SpaceX) couldn’t resist a not-so-subtle dig at ULA: https://x.com/gleesonjm/status/1819844680034500633

      Apropos of nothing, if you’re a photographer chasing rockets (and out of your own pocket) and capture a SpaceX launch from Florida, California or Texas, please share your shots far and wide. From this platform to annual calendars, coffee table books and more. Do your thing.