SPACEHAB Realigns Corporation
Houston TX (SPX) Dec 11, 2007 SPACEHAB has announced an initiative to align the corporate structure and personnel toward its strategic direction of winning the NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) funded Space Act Agreement, due to be awarded February 2008, and to process and manufacture products in microgravity on the International Space Station (ISS). "We have determined that the ability to provide cost effective, reliable cargo services to space is critical to the overall success of the ISS National Laboratory and to SPACEHAB's microgravity processing business plan," said SPACEHAB Chief Executive Officer, Thomas B. Pickens III. "The COTS program represents a big step in the development of a viable business that will ultimately attract both capital and customers." Leveraging the Company's 23-year heritage of supporting NASA's space cargo needs, SPACEHAB is realigning its current business structure to better serve NASA's future logistics needs. "We believe SPACEHAB is the most credible company that can deliver payloads to the ISS by 2010 as is called for under NASA's COTS requirements," continued Pickens. "In response to our commitment, we determined that the Company needed to reposition its personnel and business units to be focused on our COTS business plan including developing the Advanced Research and Conventional Technology Utilization Spacecraft (ARCTUS) and processing microgravity products on the ISS," he added. SPACEHAB formed the following four new subsidiaries to advance these initiatives:
Introducing SPACEHAB Orbital Transportation
Introducing SPACEHAB Microgravity Sciences SMS flew its first commercial microgravity processing samples on space shuttle flight STS-116 where they were transferred to the ISS for processing. The finished products were returned to Earth on the STS-118 mission in November and early analysis has determined a successful mission. Based on existing and newly-established relationships with the pharmaceutical and academia sectors, results from these and other microgravity products are expected to form the foundation of this new revenue-generating business.
Introducing SPACETECH
Introducing SPACEHAB Engineering Services Additionally, Astrotech Space Operations continues profitable operations at its Florida and California facilities processing both government and commercial satellites before launch. The Astrotech business is also currently expanding its menu of services to support the COTS integration, ground communication and launch support requirements. With these business realignments, significant efficiencies have been achieved resulting in staff reductions of 21 positions and major reductions in corporate general and administrative expenses estimating an annual cost savings of $2.5 million, while costing approximately $81,000 to implement. "We believe the realignment and efficiency measures announced will enable SPACEHAB to make significant strides in our newly identified business divisions," said Pickens. "Through providing these entrepreneurially-unique capabilities to both an established customer base and new client sectors, SPACEHAB is committed to leading our customers, employees and shareholders in a clear and profitable direction," he said. Related Links The latest information about the Commercial Satellite Industry
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