AUSTIN, Texas–The board of Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC), and its subsidiary 1st Detect Corporation, today with deepest regret announced 1st Detect CEO Bob C. Kibler passed away on October 31st due to heart complications.

Mr. Kibler joined the company on June 23, 2014 and served as Chief Executive Officer of 1st Detect Corporation since December 4, 2014. Thomas B. Pickens III, Chairman and CEO of Astrotech Corporation and Chairman of 1st Detect, who was also the CEO of 1st Detect from inception to December 3, 2014 will serve as Acting Chief Executive Officer until a successor is named.

“The Astrotech family mourns the loss of our valued colleague Bob Kibler,” stated Mr. Pickens. “Bob was a highly regarded professional that was extremely passionate about analytical instruments and was active in the industry for over 40 years. During his tenure at 1st Detect, we benefited from Bob’s extensive career managing the development of new products and identifying valuable markets. Bob will be greatly missed both within the company and industry and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

About 1st Detect Corporation

1st Detect, a subsidiary of Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC), develops, manufactures, and sells powerful, sensitive, and accurate chemical analyzers that streamline processes for industrial use in the food and beverage, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, healthcare, research, and environmental markets, as well as for government applications used in explosive and chemical warfare detection for the Department of Homeland Security and the military. The company’s core mass spectrometry technology was first developed under an agreement with NASA for use on the International Space Station. The unit is capable of detecting a wide variety of chemicals including residues and vapors from explosives, chemical warfare agents, toxic chemicals, food & beverage contaminants, and pollutants. These capabilities, combined in an economically priced, transportable, and ruggedized solution, make it an ideal tool for a variety of applications. For more information on 1st Detect Corporation, please visit www.1stDetect.com.

About Astrotech Corporation

Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC) identifies and commercializes emerging, disruptive technologies through its closely held subsidiaries. Management employs creativity in execution as well as sources investment opportunities from various government laboratories, agencies, universities, and corporations, as well as through its own internal research. Sourced from Oak Ridge Laboratory’s chemical analyzer research, 1st Detect develops, manufactures, and sells chemical analyzers that streamline processes for industrial use in the airport security, food and beverage, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, research, and environmental markets, and the military. Sourced from decades of image research from the laboratories of IBM and Kodak combined with classified satellite technology from government laboratories, Astral Images sells film to digital image enhancement, defect removal and color correction software, and post processing services providing economically feasible conversion of television and feature 35mm and 16mm films to the new 4K ultra-high definition (UHD), high-dynamic range (HDR) format necessary for the new generation of digital distribution. Sourced from NASA’s extensive microgravity research, Astrogenetix is applying a fast-track on-orbit discovery platform using the International Space Station to develop vaccines and other therapeutics. Demonstrating its entrepreneurial strategy, Astrotech management sold its state-of-the-art satellite servicing operations to Lockheed Martin in August 2014. Astrotech has operations throughout Texas and is headquartered in Austin. For information please visit www.astrotechcorp.com.