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Astrotech Subsidiary 1stDetect Announces First Tracer 1000 NTD System Sale in Vietnam

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Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC) announced the first sale and deployment of its TRACER 1000� Narcotics Trace Detector in Vietnam through its subsidiary 1st Detect. This expansion into Southeast Asia represents a strategic milestone in the company's global growth.

The TRACER 1000 NTD� system, which utilizes Mass Spectrometry technology, provides confirmatory trace narcotics detection with near-zero false alarm rates. CEO Tom Pickens highlighted that the global narcotics and explosives trace detection market is valued at over $7 billion and is experiencing rapid growth due to increasing demand for innovative security solutions.

Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC) ha annunciato la prima vendita e installazione del suo TRACER 1000� Narcotics Trace Detector in Vietnam tramite la sua controllata 1st Detect. Questa espansione nel Sud-est asiatico rappresenta una tappa strategica nella crescita globale dell'azienda.

Il sistema TRACER 1000 NTD�, che utilizza la tecnologia della spettrometria di massa, offre una rilevazione confermata di tracce di narcotici con tassi di falsi allarmi quasi nulli. Il CEO Tom Pickens ha sottolineato che il mercato globale per la rilevazione di tracce di narcotici ed esplosivi è valutato oltre 7 miliardi di dollari e sta crescendo rapidamente grazie alla crescente domanda di soluzioni di sicurezza innovative.

Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC) anunció la primera venta e implementación de su TRACER 1000� Narcotics Trace Detector en Vietnam a través de su subsidiaria 1st Detect. Esta expansión en el Sudeste Asiático representa un hito estratégico en el crecimiento global de la empresa.

El sistema TRACER 1000 NTD�, que utiliza tecnología de espectrometría de masas, proporciona detección confirmatoria de rastros de narcóticos con tasas de falsas alarmas cercanas a cero. El CEO Tom Pickens destacó que el mercado global de detección de rastros de narcóticos y explosivos está valorado en más de 7 mil millones de dólares y está experimentando un rápido crecimiento debido a la creciente demanda de soluciones de seguridad innovadoras.

Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC)� 자회� 1st Detect� 통해 베트남에� TRACER 1000� 마약 추적 탐지�� � 판매 � 배치� 발표했습니다. 동남아시아로� � 확장은 회사� 글로벌 성장� 있어 전략� 이정표를 의미합니�.

TRACER 1000 NTD� 시스템은 질량 분석 기술� 활용하여 거의 제로� 가까운 오경보율� 마약 흔적� 확인 탐지합니�. CEO � 피켄스는 글로벌 마약 � 폭발� 흔적 탐지 시장� 70� 달러 이상으로 평가되며, 혁신적인 보안 솔루션에 대� 수요 증가� 빠르� 성장하고 있다� 강조했습니다.

Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ : ASTC) a annoncé la première vente et déploiement de son TRACER 1000� Narcotics Trace Detector au Vietnam via sa filiale 1st Detect. Cette expansion en Asie du Sud-Est constitue une étape stratégique dans la croissance mondiale de l'entreprise.

Le système TRACER 1000 NTD�, qui utilise la technologie de spectrométrie de masse, offre une détection confirmatoire des traces de narcotiques avec un taux de fausses alertes quasi nul. Le PDG Tom Pickens a souligné que le marché mondial de la détection des traces de narcotiques et d'explosifs est évalué à plus de 7 milliards de dollars et connaît une croissance rapide en raison de la demande croissante de solutions de sécurité innovantes.

Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC) gab den ersten Verkauf und die Einführung seines TRACER 1000� Narcotics Trace Detectors in Vietnam über seine Tochtergesellschaft 1st Detect bekannt. Diese Expansion nach Südostasien stellt einen strategischen Meilenstein im globalen Wachstum des Unternehmens dar.

Das TRACER 1000 NTD�-System, das Massenspektrometrie-Technologie verwendet, bietet eine bestätigende Spurendetektion von Betäubungsmitteln mit nahezu null Fehlalarmraten. CEO Tom Pickens betonte, dass der globale Markt für die Spurendetektion von Betäubungsmitteln und Sprengstoffen auf über 7 Milliarden US-Dollar geschätzt wird und aufgrund der steigenden Nachfrage nach innovativen Sicherheitslösungen ein schnelles Wachstum erfährt.

Positive
  • First market entry into Vietnam, expanding presence in Southeast Asia
  • Targeting $7 billion global narcotics and explosives trace detection market
  • Product offers near-zero false alarm rate using advanced Mass Spec technology
  • System features virtually unlimited library capability for future threat detection
Negative
  • Single unit sale indicates early market penetration stage
  • Faces competition in a rapidly evolving marketplace

Insights

Astrotech's entry into Vietnam with its mass spectrometry security technology represents early-stage market expansion in a $7B global opportunity.

Astrotech's subsidiary 1st Detect has achieved a strategic milestone with its first TRACER 1000 NTD sale in Vietnam, marking the company's entry into the Southeast Asian market. This deployment targets the $7+ billion global narcotics and explosives trace detection market, which management describes as "growing rapidly."

The technology differentiator here is significant - mass spectrometry offers substantially higher accuracy than conventional ion mobility spectrometry systems commonly used in security applications. The key technical advantage is the TRACER 1000's virtually unlimited library capability, allowing for adaptation to emerging narcotics threats, combined with a near-zero false alarm rate.

While this single Vietnam sale won't significantly impact immediate financials, it establishes a critical reference installation in a new geographic market. Security technology adoption typically follows a pattern where initial installations drive subsequent sales through demonstrated effectiveness. For Astrotech, Southeast Asia represents a growth market where modernizing security infrastructure creates natural demand.

The announcement aligns with Astrotech's stated growth strategy of targeting emerging markets with its Mass Spec technology. Penetrating Vietnam could potentially accelerate regional adoption across similar Southeast Asian markets as they modernize security protocols.

AUSTIN, Texas , July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Astrotech Corporation (Nasdaq: ASTC), a provider of next generation security screening and detection technologies based on Mass Spectrometry (“Mass Spec�), today announced the first sale and deployment of its TRACER 1000� Narcotics Trace Detector (“TRACER 1000 NTD™�) in Vietnam, by way of its subsidiary 1st Detect. This milestone marks a significant step in expanding the 1stDetect footprint across Southeast Asia and reinforces its commitment to enhancing narcotics trace detection inspection capabilities in global emerging markets.

“This first NTD system in Vietnam demonstrates Astrotech’s growing presence in Asia and the increasing trust commercial and critical infrastructure operators are placing in our advanced technology,� said Tom Pickens, CEO of Astrotech Corp. “We are honored to support Vietnam’s security modernization efforts with next generation Mass Spec based trace detection and comprehensive library capabilities to deliver the accuracy, breadth and speed needed to counter the global narcotics trade.�

“The global narcotics and explosives trace detection market is estimated at more than $7 billion1 and growing rapidly, driven by a strong demand for innovation as law enforcement and public safety agencies combat an ever growing range of drugs and explosives,� said Pickens. �st Detect offers a highly differentiated solution that not only provides the precision and reliability of Mass Spec analysis to clearly and accurately identify a substance, but also a virtually unlimited library capability to support the detection of new concerns and threats as they are identified in this fast-evolving marketplace.�

TRACER 1000 NTD�, designed for confirmatory trace narcotics detection, enables security authorities to detect threats, contraband, and illicit materials with near-zero false alarm rate. 1st Detect’s goal is to ensure that detection is future proof and gives authorities confidence in its results due to the highly precise nature of the Mass Spec technology.

Astrotech Corp. remains committed to providing innovative, scalable security solutions to partners across the globe and looks forward to further collaborations in the region.

About 1st Detect

Based in Austin, Texas, 1st Detect develops, manufactures, and sells trace detectors for use in the security and detection market. 1st Detect’s explosive and narcotics trace detection feature a simple to use operating system designed specifically for security professionals. The TRACER 1000 ETD® and the TRACER 1000 NTD� are rugged and portable to support security and detection in a variety of environments.
For information, visit or contact .

About Astrotech Corporation

Astrotech (Nasdaq: ASTC) is a mass spectrometry company that creates, operates, and scales innovative businesses through its wholly owned subsidiaries. Each subsidiary leverages Astrotech’s core technology to serve specialized markets:

  • 1st Detect develops, manufactures, and markets trace detection systems for security and narcotics screening applications.
  • AgLAB designs process analyzers tailored to the agriculture industry.
  • Pro-Control produces solutions for in-situ chemical process control in industrial manufacturing.
  • BreathTech is advancing a breath analysis platform to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with infections and critical health conditions.
  • EN-SCAN, Inc. delivers portable, ruggedized environmental testing solutions that integrate gas chromatography and mass spectrometry for use in challenging field environments.

Astrotech is headquartered in Austin, Texas. To learn more, visit .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, trends, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from the forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to, the adverse impact of inflationary pressures, including significant increases in fuel costs, global economic conditions and events related to these conditions, including the ongoing wars inUkraineand the middle east, the Company’s use of proceeds from the common stock offerings, whether we can successfully complete the development of our new products and proprietary technologies, whether we can obtain the FDA and other regulatory approvals required to market our products under development inthe United Statesor abroad, whether the market will accept our products and services and whether we are successful in identifying, completing and integrating acquisitions, as well as other risk factors and business considerations described in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings including the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Any forward-looking statements in this document should be evaluated in light of these important risk factors. While we do not intend to directly harvest, manufacture, distribute or sell cannabis or cannabis products, we may be detrimentally affected by a change in enforcement by federal or state governments and we may be subject to additional risks in connection with the evolving regulatory area and associated uncertainties. Any such effects may give rise to risks and uncertainties that are currently unknown or amplify others mentioned herein. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable and are based on reasonable assumptions, no assurance can be given that these assumptions are accurate or that any of these expectations will be achieved (in full or at all) or will prove to have been correct. Moreover, such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements. In addition, any forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company’s views only as of the date of its publication and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. The Company assumes no obligation to correct or update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Company Contact:
Jennifer Cañas
Chief Financial Officer, Astrotech Corporation
(512) 485-9530

Investor Contact:
Matt Kreps
Managing Director, Darrow Associates
(214) 597-8200


1
https://dataintelo.com/report/global-explosives-and-narcotics-trace-detection-technologyetd-market


FAQ

What is the significance of Astrotech's TRACER 1000 NTD sale in Vietnam?

This sale marks Astrotech's first entry into the Vietnamese market and represents a significant expansion of its footprint in Southeast Asia, demonstrating growing trust in their security screening technology.

How large is the market opportunity for Astrotech's TRACER 1000 NTD system?

The global narcotics and explosives trace detection market is estimated at more than $7 billion and is growing rapidly due to increasing demand for innovative security solutions.

What are the key features of Astrotech's TRACER 1000 NTD system?

The system uses Mass Spectrometry technology for confirmatory trace narcotics detection, offering near-zero false alarm rates and an unlimited library capability for detecting new threats.

How does the TRACER 1000 NTD system benefit security authorities?

It provides highly precise detection of threats, contraband, and illicit materials with near-zero false alarm rates, while offering future-proof capabilities through its expandable threat library.

What is ASTC's strategy for market expansion in Southeast Asia?

Astrotech is focusing on partnering with commercial and critical infrastructure operators in emerging markets, supporting security modernization efforts with their advanced detection technology.
Astrotech Corp

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Scientific & Technical Instruments
Laboratory Analytical Instruments
United States
AUSTIN