Austin, TX (May 17, 2010) - 

Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC), a leading provider of commercial space services, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended March 31, 2010 of its fiscal year 2010.

 

Third Quarter Results

The Company posted a third quarter fiscal year 2010 net loss of $0.6 million, or $(0.04) per diluted share, on revenue of $6.6 million, compared with a third quarter fiscal year 2009 net income of $3.6 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, on revenue of $11.8 million.

 

Nine Months Results

Astrotech's net income for the first nine months of 2010 was $1.8 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, on revenue of $22.5 million. This compares to net income of $2.1 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, on revenue of $21.6 million for first nine months fiscal year 2009.

 

“Astrotech Corporation continues to perform extremely well for its shareholders as our cash flows and backlog remain strong. I’m particularly pleased with our ASO team for their outstanding support of the RSC-Energia’s Mini Research Module 1 (MRM1) that was processed in our facilities and sent to the International Space Station aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis this past week”, said Thomas B. Pickens, III, Chairman and CEO.

 

Update of Ongoing Operations

The Company’s 18-month rolling backlog at March 31, 2010, which includes contractual backlog and scheduled but uncommitted missions, is $27.2 million. The majority of the backlog is for ASO 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 remote control through launch.

 

ASO supported the successful launches of the Solar Dynamic Observatory and GOES-P Earth Observation Satellite during the quarter, while also providing support for missions which were in process at our facilities in Titusville, Florida and in California at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Additionally, the Company supported the processing of RSC-Energia’s MRM1 in its Cape Canaveral facility.

 

Astrogenetix, the Company’s biotechnology subsidiary which is developing medicines in space, participated in the eighth flight in its series of microgravity experiments aboard Space Shuttle Endeavor during STS-130. The research consisted of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (“MRSA”) microbes targeted for a potential MRSA vaccine or therapeutic. This process led to the identification of target genes for MRSA virulence which is planned for verification and validation on STS-131 and STS-132.

1st Detect was awarded an investment from the state of Texas’ Emerging Technology Fund of $1.8 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2010. The investment from the state will go toward further development and commercialization of 1st Detect’s mini-mass spectrometer, which is intended to be used in the defense and medical markets to detect residues and vapors from a wide range of chemicals.

 

Financial Position and Liquidity

Working capital was $3.5 million as of March 31, 2010, which included $6.2 million in cash and $8.3 million of accounts receivable. 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 3rd Quarter [PDF 45.9KB]

 

About Astrotech Corporation

Astrotech Corporation (Nasdaq: ASTC) is a commercial aerospace company that provides spacecraft payload processing and government services, designs and manufactures space hardware, and commercializes space technologies for use on Earth. The Company serves our government and commercial satellite and spacecraft customers with our pre-launch services from our Astrotech Space Operations (ASO) subsidiary and incubates space technology businesses now having formed three companies; the 1st Detect Corporation which is developing a breakthrough mini-mass spectrometer first developed for the International Space Station; Astrogenetix, Inc. which is producing biotech products in space and has recently developed a vaccine candidate for Salmonella; and Airward Corporation which is drawing on its space heritage of sending cargo to space by selling hazardous material containers for the airline industry.

 

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.