Astrotech… Payload Priming (Satellite)

[SatNews] The Department of the Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) awarded the Astrotech (Nasdaq:ASTC) Space Operations business unit a new contract for payload processing services in support of the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Program.

Astrotech Space Operations has committed to provide payload processing support for as many as five satellite launches for MUOS under the contract. The Navy has informed Astrotech that it will use Astrotech’s processing services for the initial launch. The Navy has the right to exercise options to have Astrotech support up to four additional launches in support of MUOS. The contract stipulates that the contract services are targeted to begin in fiscal year 2012, and would potentially run through 2015.

From Titusville, Florida, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California and the Sea Launch Home Port facilities in Long Beach, California, Astrotech Space Operations 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, and transport. In its 29 year history, Astrotech has supported the processing of more than 285 spacecraft without impacting a customer’s launch schedule.