Astrotech Payload Processing Services Being Tapped on Multiple NASA Spacecraft Missions
SPACEHAB, Incorporated , a leading provider of commercial space services, announced today that its Astrotech Space Operations subsidiary has been awarded a new payload processing services contract by NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. ADVERTISEMENT
With a value not to exceed $9.5 million, this indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract is for payload processing support on several NASA spacecraft. Under consideration are observation telescopes and satellites such as the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) and the Solar Dynamics Observatory. Future payload processing may be acquired based upon the Government’s needs.
“Providing a full complement of processing and facility services for a new series of NASA exploration, observation, and technology development spacecraft is exciting,” stated Jim Royston, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Astrotech Space Operations. “We understand the intricacies of preparing these delicate satellites for launch, and we look forward to supporting the Agency on these bold missions.”
Last September Astrotech received a similar contract from NASA, valued at up to $4.9 million, to support the Agency’s STEREO, THEMIS, and Dawn missions. STEREO, a solar-terrestrial observation spacecraft currently in process at Astrotech’s east coast location, is anticipated to liftoff next month. With an expected arrival at the Company’s facility in October, the THEMIS mission is designed to study the Northern Lights. NASA’s mission to further study the solar system’s beginnings, Dawn, will visit Astrotech for processing in spring 2007, and is expected to begin its journey to space next summer.
Astrotech provides all support necessary for the customer to successfully process their spaceflight hardware for launch, including advance planning; use of unique facilities; and spacecraft checkout, encapsulation, fueling, transport, and remote control through launch. In its 22-year history, Astrotech has supported the processing of over 240 spacecraft without a single impact to a customer’s mission launch schedule.
About SPACEHAB, Incorporated
SPACEHAB, Incorporated (www.spacehab.com) is a leading provider of commercial and government space services with three primary business units. The Flight Services business unit develops, owns, and operates habitat and laboratory modules and cargo carriers aboard NASA’s Space Shuttles for Space Station resupply and research purposes. SPACEHAB’s Astrotech subsidiary provides payload processing support services for both commercial and government customers at company-owned facilities in Florida and California. The Company’s Government Services business unit supports NASA’s Johnson Space Center providing configuration management, product engineering, and support services for both the Space Station and Space Shuttle programs. Additionally, through The Space Store, Space Media provides space merchandise to the public and space enthusiasts worldwide (www.thespacestore.com).
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.
Contact:
SPACEHAB, Inc., Houston
Kimberly Campbell, 713-558-5049
campbell@spacehab.com
www.spacehab.com
