HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 25, 2005--SPACEHAB, Incorporated (NASDAQ/NMS:SPAB),
a leading provider of commercial space services, announced today that it has
entered into a non-reimbursable Space Act Agreement with NASA to facilitate
the commercial development and testing of a micro-miniature mass spectrometer
for potential use on low earth orbit missions and in NASA's emerging Exploration
Program.
"For human space flight missions, NASA must continually
monitor air quality and toxicity levels to ensure
the health and safety of the crew," said Michael
E. Bain, SPACEHAB Chief Operating Officer. "NASA
desires improved capabilities in this area, but developing,
transporting, and installing large, complex detection
and classification equipment on-orbit is extremely
problematic. We are excited about this opportunity
to provide a solution that is small, light-weight,
and portable enough to be easily delivered to, and
operated on, the space station and anywhere else
humans live and work in space."
In a unique partnership with Zyvex Corporation -
a leading molecular nanotechnology company that specializes
in micro and nanomanufacturing, micro electro mechanical
systems, and nanomaterials - SPACEHAB looks to be
a supplier of miniaturized technology to the aerospace
community and others. The implementation of the Space
Act Agreement is the first step in a plan to support
the development of additional micro-manufacturing
applications.
Once completed, Zyvex's mini-mass spectrometer and
SPACEHAB's interface equipment will be the approximate
size of a deck of playing cards. Current on-orbit
systems weigh approximately 100 pounds and take up
the space of a car trunk. The product of this effort
has the potential for a 90% weight savings, increased
reliability, and costs a fraction of the present
technology.
Under the agreement, a 'brassboard' system will
be developed and tested in a terrestrial-based laboratory
by the end of the calendar year. If proven successful,
SPACEHAB intends to build an operational unit that
could be initially offered as part of the Company's
logistics module capability and also leased or sold
to customers individually. SPACEHAB's logistics module
is under contract for use on two International Space
Station missions currently scheduled for launch in
2006.
About SPACEHAB, Incorporated
SPACEHAB, Incorporated ( www.spacehab.com )
is a leading provider of commercial and government
space services with three primary business units.
The Flight Services business unit develops, owns,
and operates habitat and laboratory modules and cargo
carriers aboard NASA's Space Shuttles for Space Station
resupply and research purposes. SPACEHAB's Astrotech
subsidiary provides payload processing support services
for both commercial and government customers at company-owned
facilities in Florida and California. The Company's
Government Services business unit supports NASA's
Johnson Space Center providing configuration management,
product engineering, and support services for both
the Space Station and Space Shuttle programs. Additionally,
through The Space Store, Space Media provides space
merchandise to the public and space enthusiasts worldwide
( www.thespacestore.com ).
About Zyvex Corporation
Zyvex Corporation, based in Richardson, Texas, is
the first molecular nanotechnology company. Zyvex's
vision is to be the leading worldwide supplier of
tools, products, and services that enable adaptable,
affordable, and molecularly precise manufacturing.
Zyvex commercializes nanotechnology to address real-world
applications with high growth potential. Zyvex carries
its scientific breakthroughs into key commercial
applications in the area of materials, tools, and
structures.
SPACEHAB, Inc., Houston
Kimberly Campbell, 713-558-5049
campbell@spacehab.com
|
