Astrotech’s 1st Detect Awarded Phase II of Next Generation Chemical Detection Solution

Company to Collaborate with Battelle; Continue Introduction and Testing of New Capabilities to Current Military Chemical Detection Solutions

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--1^st Detect Corporation, a subsidiary of Astrotech (Nasdaq:ASTC), announced today that its breakthrough portable mass spectrometer technology has reached another milestone in the military’s three-phase, multi-year Next Generation Chemical Detector (NGCD) development program. Together with Battelle, 1^st Detect has officially entered the phase II test and evaluation process for its prototype Multi-Sample Identifier Detector (MSID) solution.

“Reaching this second phase of the NGCD project is a vote of confidence in the viability of 1^st Detect’s mass spectrometer detection solution. It provides us with an inimitable opportunity to refine the solution in a way that will meet the challenging needs of our military and effectively save lives,” explained Thomas B. Pickens III, CEO of Astrotech. "We are working in close collaboration with our key partner Battelle to validate and refine our joint detection solution, and we’ll continue to leverage their elaborate biological and chemical defense expertise to advance the solution to the final phase with the Government," he added.

The mass spectrometer instrument developed by 1^st Detect Corporation has revolutionized the chemical detection and analysis market by delivering lab performance mass spectrometry in a miniaturized, affordable and easily portable package. The 1^st Detect mass spectrometer is capable of detecting a wide variety of chemicals including residues and vapors from explosives, chemical warfare agents, toxic chemicals, food and beverage contaminants, and pollutants. These abilities make it an ideal tool for a variety of applications in the research, security, industrial, process flow and healthcare markets.

“We are pleased to see that the tremendous research and development efforts of our technical Program Team have proved successful, ultimately translating into technical detection solutions advanced enough to satisfy the extensive requirements and milestones set forth by our government,” stated Bob Kibler, CEO of 1^st Detect.

About 1^st Detect Corporation

1^st Detect Corporation was formed by Astrotech Corporation (Nasdaq:ASTC) to develop and commercialize miniature mass spectrometer technology first developed under an agreement with NASA for use on the International Space Station. 1^st Detect offers a breakthrough miniaturized mass spectrometer that fills an unmet need by being highly accurate, rapid, lightweight, and cost-effective. For more information on 1^st Detect Corporation, please visit www.1stDetect.com.

About Astrotech Corporation

Astrotech is a leader in identifying and commercializing space technology for terrestrial use. 1^st Detect Corporation is developing what we believe is a breakthrough miniaturized mass spectrometer, the MMS-1000™, while Astrogenetix, Inc. is a biotechnology company utilizing microgravity as a research platform for drug discovery and development. Both are wholly owned subsidiaries of the parent.

About Battelle Memorial Institute

Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit www.battelle.org.

For more information contact Katy Delaney at [phone] or at [e-mail] or contact T.R. Massey at [phone] or at [e-mail]

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.