Astrotech Corporation
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, Technology Incubator |
| Predecessor | Spacehab Inc. |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | Bob Citron, David W. Lippy, Brad Meslin, Marc Oderman |
| Fate | Divested Astrotech Space Operations in 2014 |
| Headquarters | Austin , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Space Shuttle cargo modules, satellite hardware processing, mass spectrometers, film restoration technology, vaccine development platform |
Astrotech Corporation, originally known as Spacehab Inc., operates as a technology incubator based in Austin, Texas. The company harnesses innovations developed internally as well as those from research organizations, government laboratories, and academic institutions to finance, oversee, and bring startup ventures to market.
Astrotech's affiliated companies supply commercial offerings and services to entities such as NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, various national space agencies, and international commercial customers.
Astrotech Corporation
Established in 1984 under the name SPACEHAB, Inc., the firm initially specialized in providing microgravity research equipment and related services to NASA during the era of the Space Shuttle program. After the Shuttle was retired, Astrotech redirected its efforts toward its spacecraft processing division, Astrotech Space Operations, Inc. (ASO), its mass spectrometry subsidiary 1st Detect, Inc., and its microgravity vaccine development branch Astrogenetix, Inc.. In August 2014, the company divested ASO. By February 2015, Astrotech broadened its scope into satellite image processing by acquiring software designed for defect correction and launching Astral Images Corp. to commercialize image enhancement technologies originally funded by government programs.
Spacehab
Spacehab was launched in 1984 by Bob Citron with backing from CSP Associates located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The founding team comprised David W. Lippy, Brad Meslin, and Marc Oderman. The concept to increase cargo capacity aboard the Space Shuttles was developed by Dr. David Williamson, a consultant for CSP, which became the foundation of the business model. Initial venture capital investments were provided by Al Zesiger of BEA Associates and Dr. Shelley Harrison, both based in New York. Most of the seed capital was raised by CSP Associates together with its investors. Over more than two decades, Spacehab generated sales exceeding $1 billion.
Spacehab hardware for Space Shuttle missions
The product portfolio from Spacehab included:
- Integrated Cargo Carrier (ICC), an unpressurized unit
- External Stowage Platform (ESP-2 and ESP-3), derived from ICC designs
- Logistics Single Module (LSM) and Logistics Double Module (LDM)
- Single Module (SM) and Research Double Module (RDM), both pressurized
Engineered to fit within the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle, Spacehab equipment was utilized on 22 missions overall—seven of which involved trips to the Russian space station Mir and eight missions servicing the International Space Station (ISS). The Single Module was flown on seven flights; however, the Research Double Module was only deployed during the ill-fated Columbia mission STS-107.
The RDM’s first mission on STS-107 concluded tragically with the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia during atmospheric re-entry in 2003. Shortly after this event, Spacehab received $17.7 million under its commercial insurance coverage. In 2004, it filed a claim against NASA seeking $87.7 million for damages related to Columbia; NASA settled with a payment of $8.2 million before the lawsuit was dropped in 2007.
The ICC design evolved into the External Stowage Platform series (ESP-1, ESP-2, ESP-3), which are permanently installed aboard the ISS. ESP-2 is mounted near the station’s airlock and functions as a commercial storage site for spare parts used by astronauts. ESP-3 was delivered during Space Shuttle mission STS-118 in August 2007.
Flights
| Flight | Date | Orbiter | Mission | Components |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STS-57 | June/July 1993 | Endeavour | Research operations | SM |
| STS-60 | February 1994 | Discovery | Wake Shield Facility deployment | SM |
| STS-63 | February 1995 | Discovery | Rendezvous with Mir | SM |
| STS-76 | March 1996 | Atlantis | Docking with Mir | SM |
| STS-77 | May 1996 | Endeavour | SPARTAN mission | SM |
| STS-79 | September 1996 | Atlantis | Mir docking operation | LDM |
| STS-81 | January 1997 | Atlantis | Docking at Mir station | LDM |
| STS-84 | May 1997 | Atlantis | Mir docking mission | LDM |
| STS-86 | September/October 1997 | Atlantis | Docking with Mir spacecraft | LDM |
| STS-89 | January 1998 | Endeavour | Mir docking procedure | LDM |
| STS-91 | June 1998 | Discovery | Mir rendezvous and docking | SM |
| STS-95 | October/November 1998 | Discovery | SPARTAN payload mission | SM |
| STS-96 | May/June 1999 | Discovery | ISS docking mission | LDM + ICC |
| STS-101 | May 2000 | Atlantis | ISS docking operation | LDM + ICC |
| STS-106 | September 2000 | Atlantis | International Space Station docking | LDM + ICC |
Legend:
- ESP - External Stowage Platform
- ICC - Integrated Cargo Carrier
- LDM - Logistics Double Module
Astrotech Space Operations (ASO)
In 2009, the company adopted the name Astrotech Corporation to emphasize its primary division, Astrotech Space Operations, which specializes in end-to-end satellite hardware processing services for both governmental and commercial sectors. These services encompass mission planning, utilization of ground support equipment, spacecraft testing, encapsulation, fueling procedures, and transportation logistics. In August 2014, Astrotech divested this segment by selling ASO to Lockheed Martin, thereby exiting the satellite servicing business.
Chemical detection and analysis
The subsidiary 1st Detect focuses on designing and marketing compact mass spectrometers aimed at detecting explosives and chemical warfare agents, primarily serving the Department of Homeland Security and military markets. This technology was originally developed through research conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Astrotech Technologies, Inc., under the umbrella of Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC), has formed a manufacturing partnership with Sanmina Corporation. Sanmina is responsible for producing 1st Detect's TRACER 1000 device and will also manufacture the forthcoming AgLAB AgLAB-1000 and BreathTech BreathTest-1000 instruments.
Film restoration, correction, and enhancement
Astral Images provides services converting film to digital formats by employing sophisticated defect removal techniques, color grading, and post-processing software. Their proprietary technology facilitates affordable transformation of 35mm and 16mm television and feature films into 4K ultra-high-definition (UHD) and high-dynamic-range (HDR) digital formats suitable for contemporary distribution. This technology is built upon decades of image research from IBM and Kodak laboratories combined with classified advancements in satellite imaging.
Vaccine development
Utilizing microgravity research conducted by NASA, Astrogenetix operates an on-orbit discovery platform aboard the International Space Station to expedite the development of vaccines and therapeutics. This initiative represents a strategic investment in advancing biopharmaceutical innovation.
Space operations
Prior to its acquisition by Lockheed Martin in 2014, Astrotech supported both governmental and commercial space industries through its subsidiary, Astrotech Space Operations (ASO), located in Titusville, Florida, close to the Kennedy Space Center. This site features more than of clean room facilities dedicated to satellite payload processing, compatible with launch vehicles including United Launch Alliance's Atlas and Delta rockets, Orbital Sciences' Taurus and Pegasus, as well as SpaceX's Falcon 9. Additionally, Astrotech maintained processing sites at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, and managed payload processing alongside facility operations for the Sea Launch program based in Long Beach.
ARCTUS
On December 10, 2007, Spacehab revealed its intentions to develop the Advanced Research and Conventional Technology Utilization Spacecraft (ARCTUS), a vehicle intended to transport cargo to and from the International Space Station. This initiative was later terminated.