AeroAstro To Build First Commercial Interplanetary Spacecraft

Herndon, VA – May 12, 1999

AeroAstro, Inc., a premier micro-satellite technology and services company, today announced that it has received an authorization to proceed to build the first ever commercial interplanetary spacecraft.

The spacecraft, purchased by Encounter 2001 LLC of Houston, Texas, will contain photos, messages, and symbolic representations (in the form of human hair) from literally millions of Earth's inhabitants (made possible by the latest data-compression technology), as well as one or more scientific and educational payloads.

To date over 45,000 participants are signed up to include their material aboard the Encounter mission.

Dr. Rick Fleeter, AeroAstro's President and CEO, noted, "Encounter is the first private interplanetary spacecraft not dependent on government involvement due to our highly cost-effective, micro-satellite technology. The mission demonstrates advanced AeroAstro innovations which will be incorporated into future scientific, communications, remote sensing and technology development missions."

Encounter will contain the Bitsy™ Satellite Core Kernel, a functional satellite building block weighing as little as 1 kg (2.2 lb.), and will demonstrate an advanced version of the SPORT (Small Payload Orbit Transfer) system, both developed by AeroAstro. SPORT transports small payloads from their initial orbits to final orbital destinations.

The vehicle will be launched in late 2001 using a small 'piggyback' slot on an Ariane V heavy-lift rocket operated by Arianespace of Evry, France.

Once leaving Earth's orbit using on-board propulsion, it will fly by Jupiter, using the planet's gravity to propel itself out of the solar system. The Encounter 2001 spacecraft represents the first opportunity for the public to materially participate in an interplanetary space mission and is consistent with AeroAstro's corporate mission of making space technology accessible to a wider variety of applications.

"I believe that we are the first to actually issue an authorization to proceed for a commercial, interplanetary – in fact, interstellar – spacecraft development," said Charles M. Chafer, Encounter 2001's President. "For a very modest expenditure, we expect millions of people to participate in the Encounter 2001 mission. Those interested in participating can call 1-800-868-5005, or visit www.worldofscience.com or any World of Science, Inc. outlet nationwide."

AeroAstro, a pioneer of micro-spacecraft applications in science, remote sensing, and communications, is a leader in innovative small satellite applications. It led the trend towards "smaller, better, cheaper, faster" spacecraft – that is now NASA's mantra – with its highly successful ALEXIS satellite begun in 1988 and currently in its seventh year operating on-orbit.

AeroAstro has since designed, constructed, tested and supported the launch of several other satellites; as well as completing numerous spacecraft systems programs and manufacturing low-cost small rocket engines, nano-satellites and spacecraft components. NASA, the Air Force, and commercial and university customers have all employed AeroAstro in its 11-year history.