Discontinued Operations & Gain on the Sale of the ASO Business Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Receivable for indemnity holdback	$ 6,100		$ 6,100		$ 6,100
Astrotech Space Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash proceeds from the sale of the ASO business			53,200		53,189
Receivable for indemnity holdback	6,100		6,100		6,100
Liabilities assumed by the Buyer					2,478
Net book value of assets sold					(36,175)
Other					(156)
Gain on sale of our former ASO business	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 25,630	$ 25,436