Bill "Burners" Bruner

Bill "Burners" Bruner is the CEO and co-founder of New Frontier Aerospace, a company focused on developing advanced aerospace technologies, including hypersonic aircraft. Bruner's extensive background in aerospace and defense includes serving as an Assistant Administrator at NASA for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs from 2007 to 2009, where he directed NASA's relations with the U.S. Congress and other governmental bodies.2 He has also held significant roles at the Pentagon and as a colonel in the U.S. Air Force, where he was a Mach 2 aviator.12

Bruner's educational background includes a bachelor's degree in Physical Science (Astronomy) from San Francisco State University, and master's degrees in National Security Strategy and Airpower Arts and Sciences. He is an alumnus of the National War College, the Air Force Fighter Weapons School, and the Air Force's School of Advanced Air and Space Power Studies.2

Under Bruner's leadership, New Frontier Aerospace aims to develop hypersonic vehicles that could revolutionize air transportation by combining historical hypersonic research with modern reusable rocket technology. The company has received funding for its innovative propulsion systems, such as the 3D-printed Mjölnir rocket engine.13 Bruner is passionate about making hypersonic VTOL transportation available to various sectors, including civil, commercial, and defense customers.2