The joint venture will provide key elements to Astrotech's end-to-end mission assurance solution, streamlining the process for commercial space customers to acquire support across a spacecraft's lifecycle.

Together, both organizations will provide a singular approach to global satellite market needs. Astrotech's and Space Florida's unique series of innovative solutions include:

End-to-End Mission Assurance Services including mission planning, spacecraft design and development, ground and launch operations, mission operations, and end-user enhancement.

Customer assistance with efficiently and cost-effectively navigating the U.S. Air Force Eastern Range. Additionally, Space Florida is advocating for passage of new legislation to create a Commercial Launch Zone (CLZ) during the 2009 Florida Legislative Session.

If enacted, the legislation is structured to provide relief to some of the costs of establishing new aerospace-related business in Florida, including Free Trade Zone-type benefits, which lower the tax burden for a defined period of time.

"Joining forces with Space Florida is a natural fit," explains General (ret) Lance W. Lord, Astrotech chief executive officer.

"This partnership combines our end-to-end mission assurance solutions with Space Florida's commercial launch and ground operations capabilities - building a formidable force within the commercial satellite market."

"This innovative approach to the commercial space business model will give Florida a much greater advantage domestically and internationally," said Steve Kohler, Space Florida President.

"With the growth of satellite-based services and interest from the scientific community in utilizing the benefits of microgravity and the ISS, we see continued opportunity for our state through the commercial sector for many years to come."

Leveraging a quarter-century heritage in the design and development of man-rated pressurized modules and unpressurized cargo carriers through its former parent company SPACEHAB, Astrotech Corporation has successfully supported 23 NASA Space Shuttle missions, and more than 260 spacecraft launches to date.

Related Links
Space Florida
The latest information about the Commercial Satellite Industry

Memory Foam Mattress Review

SPACE MEDIA NETWORK PROMOTIONS Solar Energy Solutions Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison ... Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News

Reston VA (SPX) Apr 27, 2009
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce that representatives from Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, and Bigelow Aerospace, will come together on April 29 at 1:00 p.m. in the Thornton Room of the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, to discuss the impact of U.S. export controls on the American entrepreneurial space sector along with government experts.