ASTC

Astrotech Corporation operates as a science and technology company commercializing innovations across multiple industries including chemical detection, semiconductor manufacturing, and agricultural technology. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Astrotech's business segments include AgLAB developing ethylene gas sensors monitoring agricultural product ripeness during transportation and storage, BreathTest developing mass spectrometry breath analysis systems for medical diagnostics detecting diseases through volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath, and historical aerospace operations providing payload processing services which the company largely exited. The AgLAB division's flagship product monitors ethylene gas produced by ripening fruits and vegetables during shipping, allowing produce distributors and retailers to optimize supply chain logistics reducing food waste from premature spoilage or delayed ripening affecting product quality and shelf life. The BreathTest division develops compact mass spectrometry systems potentially enabling non-invasive disease screening including cancer detection, metabolic disorder diagnosis, and bacterial infection identification through analyzing breath samples rather than requiring invasive blood draws or tissue biopsies. Astrotech reported minimal revenues as its technologies remain primarily in development or early commercialization stages with limited market adoption and sales volumes insufficient to cover substantial research and development expenses. The company raised capital through multiple equity offerings diluting existing shareholders while funding ongoing technology development and commercialization efforts. Astrotech faces significant risks including technical challenges proving products work reliably in commercial environments, regulatory hurdles obtaining FDA clearances for medical devices, market adoption barriers overcoming entrenched competing technologies, and financial sustainability concerns given persistent operating losses and limited revenue generation.