AUSTIN, Texas, July 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Astrotech Corporation, (Nasdaq:ASTC) and its Astrotech Space Operations subsidiary (ASO), leading providers of commercial space services, today announced that NASA has awarded Astrotech a $2.0 million task order to provide facilities and pre-launch processing services for the scheduled 2013 launch of Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-L).
Last year, NASA awarded ASO a task order to provide pre-launch facilities and payload processing services for TDRS-K, scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in December 2012. These third generation TDRS missions are the fourth and fifth satellites in the previously announced $12.5 million NASA indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract with Astrotech Space Operations.
"NASA has been successfully launching TDRS missions since 1983, however TDRS-K and L will be the first TDRS missions processed at Astrotech," stated ASO General Manager Don M. White Jr. "Astrotech is proud to join NASA's TDRS team."
Processing continues at ASO for NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) satellite currently scheduled for an August 23, 2012 launch.
From Titusville, Florida, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, Astrotech Space Operations provides all support necessary for government and commercial customers to successfully process their satellite hardware for launch, including advanced planning; use of unique facilities; and spacecraft checkout, encapsulation, fueling and transport. In its 30-year history, Astrotech has supported the successful processing of nearly 300 spacecraft.
About Astrotech Corporation and Astrotech Space Operations (ASO)
Astrotech is one of the first space commerce companies and remains a strong entrepreneurial force in the aerospace industry. We are leaders in identifying, developing and marketing space technology for commercial use. Our Astrotech Space Operations (ASO) has been a global satellite processing leader since 1981. With nearly 300 successful spacecraft missions to date, Astrotech continues to provide adaptable and flexible services for its government and commercial customers. Astrotech Space Operations provides all support necessary for successful spacecraft processing to prepare for launch on a variety of domestic and foreign launch vehicles. Spacecraft undergo pre-launch hardware integration and testing, satellite encapsulation, and fueling before transport to the pad. Astrotech Space Operations business unit serves our satellite and spacecraft customers with pre-launch services on the eastern (Kennedy Space Center) and western (Vandenberg Air Force Base) ranges.
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This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, trends, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from the forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to, continued government support and funding for key space programs, product performance and market acceptance of products and services, as well as other risk factors and business considerations described in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings including the annual report on Form 10-K. Any forward-looking statements in this document should be evaluated in light of these important risk factors. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.