[SatNews] Astrotech Corporation (Nasdaq:ASTC) has announced that its Astrotech Space Operations subsidiary has been awarded a $16.2 million contract to fabricate, install, and test Ground Support Equipment (GSE) for the U.S. government.

Under a firm fixed-price contract, fabrication begins immediately with delivery targeted for the first quarter of fiscal year 2013. Astrotech was awarded a contract in 2007 to perform the requirements development and design for the GSE. The effort under that contract led to this contract award for fabrication, installation and testing of the GSE. "We are extremely pleased to have been awarded this contract to provide the U.S. government with this critical ground support equipment," said Don M. White Jr., Senior Vice President and General Manager of Astrotech Space Operations. "Astrotech's expertise in payload processing operations made us an ideal fit for this project and we are excited to further support our customers by providing this GSE."

Astrotech has extensive experience in designing, building, and operating spacecraft processing equipment and facilities. 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; construction and use of unique equipment and facilities; and spacecraft checkout, encapsulation, fueling, and transport. In its 29 year history, Astrotech has supported the processing of more than 290 spacecraft without impacting a customer's launch schedule.