Austin, Texas, – 1st Detect Corporation, a subsidiary of Astrotech Corporation (Nasdaq:ASTC), announced today that the European Patent Office (EPO) has issued a key patent for the company’s unique method to drive a mass spectrometer ion trap used for chemical analysis and detection.

“We are extremely pleased that the EPO has issued this patent, in conjunction with its USPTO counterpart US 7,973,227 issued on 05 Jul 2011. This patent is an important component of our intellectual property portfolio as it covers our unique ion trap technology.” said Thomas B Pickens III, Chairman of 1st Detect and CEO of Astrotech. “Europe is a very important market for our technology and this patent both demonstrates and protects the progress we have made in the development of the 1st Detect Miniature Mass Spectrometer.”

The patent, entitled “Driving a Mass Spectrometer Ion Trap or Mass Filter,” represents a key technological advantage for 1st Detect to optimize the operation of an ion trap using compact and efficient circuitry.

“The technology protected by this patent supports our objective to offer the most affordable, high performance mass spectrometer for both laboratory and field applications.” added David Rafferty, the inventor of the Patent (EU 2 301 061) and President of the Company.

1st Detect Corporation has developed an instrument that revolutionizes the chemical detection and analysis market by delivering lab performance mass spectrometry in a small, affordable and easily portable package. The 1st Detect mini mass spectrometer’s broad capabilities make it an ideal tool for a variety of applications in the research, security, industrial, process flow and healthcare markets; and 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 pollution products.

About 1st Detect Corporation

1st 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 (ISS). 1st Detect offers what we believe is a breakthrough mini-mass spectrometry technology that fills an unmet need by being highly accurate, rapid, lightweight, durable and cost-effective. For more information on 1st Detect Corporation, please visit www.1stDetect.com.

About Astrotech Corporation

Astrotech is one of the first space commerce companies and remains a strong entrepreneurial force in the aerospace industry. We are leaders in identifying, developing and marketing space technology for commercial use. Our Astrotech Space Operations business unit serves our government and commercial satellite and spacecraft customers with pre-launch services on the eastern and western range. 1st Detect Corporation is developing what we believe is a breakthrough miniature mass spectrometer, while Astrogenetix, Inc. is a biotechnology company utilizing microgravity as a research platform for drug discovery and development.