Astrotech to Begin Support on the Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM)
SPACEHAB, Incorporated a leading provider of commercial space services, today announced that its Astrotech Space Operations subsidiary has won the first fully funded task order under the recently awarded Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract for the Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM)/Jason-2.
On June 25, the SPACEHAB subsidiary announced the award of a $35 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for payload processing support on several upcoming NASA spacecraft missions, for which each must be individually competed. OSTM is the first in the series to be awarded. “The OSTM contract award is an important accomplishment for us as it underscores the confidence our valuable customers have in the capabilities, safety, and customer service associated with the Astrotech name,” said Don M. White Jr., Astrotech General Manager.
OSTM, scheduled to launch from VAFB in mid 2008, is the next-generation ocean altimetry mission to extend the time series of sea surface topography measurements begun by TOPEX/Poseidon (1992-2005) and continued by Jason-1 launched in 2001. A four-partner mission between NASA/JPL, Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (Eumetsat), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), OSTM will measure sea surface height to an accuracy of less than 4 cm every ten days. These precise measurements will help scientists better understand ocean circulation and its effect on global climate.
From Titusville, Florida, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California and the Sea Launch Home Port facilities in California, Astrotech provides all support necessary for government and commercial customers to successfully process their satellite hardware for launch, including advance planning; use of unique facilities; and spacecraft checkout, encapsulation, fueling, transport, and remote control through launch.
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 and universities, 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.
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
Corporate Marketing and Communications
Eva-Marie deCardenas, 713-558-5071
edecardenas@spacehab.com
