ASTROTECH REPORTS RESULTS FOR FOURTH QUARTER AND FISCAL YEAR 2010

Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC), a leading provider of commercial space services, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

“Astrotech has completed another strong year, supporting our customers on twelve missions at our facilities near Cape Canaveral and on Vandenberg Air Force Base,” said Thomas B. Pickens III, Chairman and CEO of Astrotech. “Additionally, we progressed steadily in the development of 1st Detect’s Miniature Chemical Detector, while furthering our experience processing experiments in space utilizing the Astrogenetix Microgravity Processing Platform (“AMPP”). I am pleased that the Company begins fiscal year 2011 in solid financial position, with more than $8 million in cash on hand.”

Fourth Quarter Results
The Company posted a fourth quarter fiscal year 2010 net loss of $1.6 million, or $(0.10) per diluted share on revenue of $5.5 million compared with a fourth quarter fiscal year 2009 net income of $2.6 million, or $0.15 per diluted share on revenue of $10.4 million.

Fiscal Year Results
Astrotech’s net income for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010 was $0.3 million, or $0.01 per diluted share on revenue of $28.0 million compared to net income of $4.7 million, or $0.28 per diluted share on revenue of $32.0 million for the prior fiscal year.

Update of Ongoing Operations
The Company’s 18-month rolling backlog, which includes contractual backlog and scheduled but uncommitted missions, was $24.9 million at June 30, 2010. The majority of the backlog is for ASO pre-launch satellite processing services, which include hardware launch preparation; advanced planning; use of unique satellite preparation facilities; and spacecraft checkout, encapsulation, fueling, transport, and command and control through launch.
 
In addition to providing support for missions in process at our facilities in Florida and California, ASO supported three successful launches during the fourth quarter. Most notably was the Air Force’s X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle and RSC-Energia’s MRM-1, a research and service module for the International Space Station, which launched on board Space Shuttle Atlantis on STS-132.

The Company continues development of 1st Detect’s Miniature Chemical Detector; a highly accurate, lightweight, battery-powered, durable and inexpensive chemical detector based on mass spectrometry. Additionally, Astrogenetix is in the process of developing products from microgravity discoveries with a focus on vaccines for Salmonella and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Astrogenetix completed its tenth microgravity research mission on NASA’s STS-132 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.

Financial Position and Liquidity
Working capital was $2.6 million as of June 30, 2010, which included $8.1 million in cash and $5.7 million of accounts receivable. Of the $8.1 million in cash at June 30, 2010, $0.5 million was obligated to funding the development of the Miniature Chemical Detector. Included in current liabilities are the Company’s $5.1 million of senior convertible notes and $3.4 million term loan, which have scheduled maturity in the next twelve months.

Financial Tables for FY2010 4th Quarter [PDF 60KB]

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 Astrotech Space Operations (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 chemical detector, 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, the ability to expand ASO, 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.