Astrotech Corp., a commercial aerospace services provider, was selected by the U.S. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) to provide payload processing services in support of the Pentagon’s Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) contract program, Astrotech announced Jan. 7.
    Astrotech’s Space Operations business unit will provide payload processing for up to five satellite launches for MUOS and use Astrotech’s services for the initial launch. The Navy has the right to exercise options that could see Astrotech support up to four additional MUOS launches.
    The service contract will begin in Astrotech’s 2012 fiscal year and could potentially run through 2015 if options are exercised. Financial details were not disclosed.