SPACEHAB, Incorporated (NASDAQ:SPAB), a leading provider of commercial space services, congratulates all those involved in the successful maiden voyage of the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) ring technology on the recent Space Test Program-1 (STP-1) mission.
The ESPA ring, designed to integrate multiple smaller satellites onto EELV-class rockets, made it possible for a total of six satellites to be delivered into two different low-Earth orbits during the U.S. Air Force’s recent mission. Launched aboard an Atlas V rocket at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the four ‘ESPA-class’ satellites deployed without impact to the primary payloads, Orbital Express’ two-satellite configuration, within 66 minutes of the picture-perfect night launch. “This flight represented a significant advancement in space technology,” said SPACEHAB President and CEO, Thomas B. Pickens, III. “STP-1 demonstrated the deep devotion and drive for success by the many government, university, and industry groups involved. A true breakthrough innovation, the ESPA command performance paves the way for repeat missions utilizing and refining this unique payload integration technology,” said Pickens.
The Cape Canaveral-based SPACEHAB Payload Processing Facility (SPPF) team was proud to be involved in the ESPA achievement through the fabrication and integration of critical flight qualified hardware directly onto the ESPA ring. “I’m always so impressed with the SPPF team’s unique and specialized capabilities,” said Pickens. “Fifteen years of flawless cargo integration experience has earned these professionals a reputation for worldwide excellence in the field. They consistently exceed the customer’s expectations and are known in the industry as the gold standard for cargo integration,” said Pickens.
For final integration just months before scheduled liftoff, STP-1 was also supported by SPACEHAB’s subsidiary, Astrotech Space Operations, providing payload facilities and pre-launch support for all six satellites and their teams. As part of this critical service, Astrotech’s personnel were also responsible for loading the propellant on the Orbital Express. “This was not a routine satellite launch and deployment and I was very proud to see our teams play such vital and varied roles in such an important mission. I congratulate all the teams for an outstanding accomplishment,” Pickens concluded.
About SPACEHAB, Incorporated
Incorporated in 1984, SPACEHAB (www.spacehab.com) is a leading provider of commercial space products and services to NASA, international space agencies, Department of Defense, and private customers worldwide. The Company offers end-to-end space access solutions, space systems development, mission integration and pre-launch processing facilities and services, and large-scale government program support services. From securing a spaceflight opportunity and facilitating the integration of spacecraft and payloads for launch, to developing human habitats, supplying the International Space Station, and coordinating the transport and operation of cargo and experiments to and from orbit, SPACEHAB clearly demonstrates that “We Mean Business in Space.”
The statements in this document may contain 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 & 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.
