Austin, TX (February 14, 2013) - 

• GAAP results: net loss of $0.8 million (attributable to Astrotech Corporation), on revenue of $4.1 million, up 55% and 12%, respectively, compared to the same quarter last year.

• Astrotech Space Operation (“ASO”), the Company’s core business unit, supported the successful launch of one mission in the second quarter 2013.

• 1st Detect delivered two instruments.

 

Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC), a leading provider of commercial aerospace services, today announced financial results for its fiscal year 2013 second quarter ended December 31, 2012.

“ASO, our core business unit, performed well during the second quarter of fiscal year 2013. We supported the successful launch of one mission and our Vandenberg and Florida facilities were awarded separate Infinite-Delivery/ Indefinite Quantity’ (“IDIQ”) task order contracts for future commercial payload processing services. ASO’s 18-month mission backlog remains stable at $25.3 million,” said Carlisle Kirkpatrick, Chief Financial Officer of Astrotech.

 

“Additionally, our 1st Detect business unit is achieving notable progress. We are seeing growing interest among equipment manufacturers who want to integrate our instrument into their product line. I am pleased with both our product development and commercial progress at 1st Detect,” noted Mr. Kirkpatrick. “During the second quarter 1st Detect delivered two instruments, one to NASA/JSC and one to a development partner. We have a team of very talented and dedicated individuals who remain focused on meeting our customer commitments.”

 

Second Quarter Results
The Company posted a second quarter fiscal year 2013 net loss of $0.8 million, or $(0.04) per diluted share on revenue of $4.1 million compared with a second quarter fiscal year 2012 net loss of $1.8 million, or $(0.10) per diluted share on revenue of $3.7 million.

 

Update of Ongoing Operations
The Company’s 18-month rolling backlog, which includes contractual backlog, scheduled but uncommitted missions, and the design and fabrication of GSE, was $25.3 million at December 31, 2012. The majority at ASO consists of pre-launch satellite processing services, which include hardware launch preparation, advance planning, use of unique satellite preparation facilities and spacecraft checkout, encapsulation, fueling, transport, and design and fabrication of equipment and hardware for space launch activities at our Titusville, Florida and VAFB locations.

 

Our Spacetech business unit reached a development milestone when 1st Detect delivered evaluation units of its miniature mass spectrometer to leading analytical equipment vendors. The 1st Detect proprietary mini-mass spectrometry technology provides a broad and versatile platform that we plan to integrate with follow-on products optimized for the security and industrial markets. In December, the USPTO allowed the issuance of an additional patent for the Company’s MMS-1000TM technology, further securing the Company’s unique approach to commercializing its mini-mass spectrometer product line.

 

Financial Position and Liquidity
Working capital was $2.6 million as of December 31, 2012, which included $4.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and $3.7 million of accounts receivable.

 

Financial Tables for Second Quarter and Fiscal Year 2013 [PDF 56KB]

 

About Astrotech Corporation
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 ASO business unit serves our government and commercial satellite and spacecraft customers with pre-launch services on the eastern and western range. 1st Detect Corporation is developing what we believe is a breakthrough miniature mass spectrometer, the MMS-1000™, while Astrogenetix, Inc. is a biotechnology company utilizing microgravity as a research platform for drug discovery and development.

 

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.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Astrotech Corporation
512.485.9530