Northern Virginia Company Does its Part to Relieve Gas Crisis

Ashburn, VA – September 13, 2005

In response to the gasoline shortage caused by Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Richard Fleeter, President of AeroAstro, Inc. in Ashburn, VA, has urged that all of the company's employees telework at least one day per week. He said, "Since our inception in 1988 we have maintained a policy promoting employee teleworking except when presence at the office is essential. We have developed management and infrastructure at AeroAstro to make remote work as efficient and enjoyable as possible, allowing us to work effectively with clients and partners around the world and to attract to our work force the most highly talented people regardless of their geographic proximity to our home in Ashburn, VA."

In support of Rep. Frank R. Wolf's (R-10th-Va.) legislation to promote teleworking, AeroAstro is now actively extending its existing teleworking policy. Teleworking provides benefits for all participants.

• The employees benefit – their commuting transportation costs will be reduced by at least 20%, which will go a long way toward offsetting the rise in fuel cost. In addition, employees save commuting time and gain time to spend at home and with their families.
• The region benefits from reduced traffic congestion and air pollution.
• The Nation benefits from the reduced gas consumption and reduced dependency on foreign oil.
• The company benefits – providing employees the opportunity to work from home increases productivity, and the flexibility of telecommuting is a feature which helps us attract the most talented employees.

“According to experts, 60% of jobs in our area are compatible with teleworking,” observed Congressman Wolf. "I urge more companies in our area to follow AeroAstro's lead by establishing their own teleworking policies."

For more information on teleworking, visit the International Telework Association & Council at www.workingfromanywhere.org.

About AeroAstro
AeroAstro has been a leader in microsatellite and nanosatellite systems, components, and technology since it was founded in 1988. AeroAstro develops complete space systems, spacecraft buses, components, and advanced communications technologies, in addition to concept development, prototyping, engineering and consulting services. AeroAstro excels in affordable space missions from concept through on-orbit operations.