Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Astrotech Corporation and its majority-owned subsidiaries that are required to be consolidated. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that directly affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Credit Risk

The Company maintains funds in bank accounts that, at times, may exceed the limit insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or “FDIC.” In October 2008, the FDIC increased its insurance to $250,000 per depositor, and to an unlimited amount for non-interest bearing accounts. The risk of loss attributable to these uninsured balances is mitigated by depositing funds in what we believe to be high credit quality financial institutions. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Revenue Recognition

Astrotech recognizes revenue employing several generally accepted revenue recognition methodologies across its business units. The methodology used is based on contract type and the manner in which products and services are provided.

Revenue generated by Astrotech’s payload processing facilities is recognized ratably over the occupancy period of the satellite while in the Astrotech facilities. The percentage-of-completion method is used for all contracts where incurred costs can be reasonably estimated and successful completion can be reasonably assured at inception. Changes in estimated costs to complete and provisions for contract losses are recognized in the period they become known. Revenue for the sale of commercial products is recognized at shipment.

A Summary of Revenue Recognition Methods

Services/Products Provided	Contract Type	Method of Revenue Recognition
Payload Processing Facilities	Firm Fixed Price — Mission Specific	Ratably, over the occupancy period of a satellite within the facility from arrival through launch
Construction Contracts	Firm Fixed Price	Percentage-of-completion based on costs incurred
Engineering Services	Cost Reimbursable Award/Fixed Fee	Reimbursable costs incurred plus award/fixed fee
Commercial Products	Specific Purchase Order Based	At shipment
Grant	Cost Reimbursable Award	As costs are incurred for related research and development expenses

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue represents amounts collected from customers for projects, products, or services expected to be provided at a future date. Deferred revenue is shown on the balance sheet as either a short-term or long-term liability, depending on when the service or product is expected to be provided.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Net Income (loss) Per Share

Basic net income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share includes all common stock options and other common stock equivalents that potentially may be issued as a result of conversion privileges, including the convertible subordinated notes payable and convertible preferred stock (see Note 12).

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are comprised primarily of operating cash accounts, money market investments and certificates of deposits.

Accounts Receivable

The carrying value of the Company’s accounts receivable, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts, represents their estimated net realizable value. We estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts based on type of customer, age of outstanding receivable, historical collection trends, and existing economic conditions. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that a specific receivable balance may be unrealizable, further consideration is given to the collectability of those balances, and the allowance is adjusted accordingly. Receivable balances deemed uncollectible are written off against the allowance.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. All furniture, fixtures, and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, which is generally five years. Our payload processing facilities are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives ranging from 16 to 40 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the term of the lease. Repairs and maintenance are expensed when incurred.

As required by our customers, we purchase equipment or enhance our facilities to meet specific customer requirements. These enhancements or equipment purchases are compensated through our contract with the customer. The difference between the amount reimbursed and the cost of the enhancements is recognized as revenue.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs represent loan origination fees paid to the lender and related professional fees. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective loan agreements which approximates the interest method.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We review long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Notes Receivable

The carrying value of the Company’s notes receivable, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts, represents their estimated net realizable value. We estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts based on type of customer, age of outstanding notes receivable, historical collection trends, and existing economic conditions. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that a specific receivable balance may be unrealizable, further consideration is given to the collectability of those balances, and the allowance is adjusted accordingly. Notes receivable balances deemed uncollectible are written off against the allowance and note receivable balances deemed less than likely to be fully collected at maturity are reserved. In fiscal year 2012, we fully reserved our outstanding notes receivable of $0.7 million.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes receivable, accounts payable, notes payable and accrued liabilities. The carrying amounts of these assets and liabilities, in the opinion of Company’s management, approximate their fair value.

Share Based Compensation

The Company accounts for share-based awards to employees based on the fair value of the award on the grant date. The fair value of the stock options is estimated using expected dividend yields of the Company’s stock, the expected volatility of the stock, the expected length of time the options remain outstanding and risk-free interest rates. Changes in one or more of these factors may significantly affect the estimated fair value of the stock options. The Company estimates forfeitures using historical forfeiture rates for previous grants of equity instruments. The fair value of awards that are expected to vest is recorded as an expense over the vesting period.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest accounting is applied for any entities where the Company maintains more than 50% and less than 100% ownership. The Company clearly identifies the noncontrolling interest in the balance sheets and income statements. We also disclose three measures of net income (loss): net income (loss), net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, and net income (loss) attributable to Astrotech Corporation. Our operating cash flows in our consolidated statements of cash flows reflect net income (loss), while our basic and diluted earnings per share calculations reflect net income (loss) attributable to Astrotech Corporation.

State of Texas Funding

The Company accounts for the State of Texas funding in its majority owned subsidiary 1^st Detect as a contribution of capital and has reflected the disbursement in the equity section of the consolidated balance sheet. While the award agreement includes both a common stock purchase right and a note payable to the State of Texas, the economic substance of the transaction is that the State of Texas has purchased shares of 1^st Detect in exchange for the granted award.

The common stock purchase right gives the State of Texas the ability to purchase common stock in 1^st Detect, at par value per share, at the earlier of: (1) the first Qualifying Financing Event or (2) eighteen months (recent extensions were granted by the State of Texas, see Note 15). As of June 30, 2012, no Qualifying Financing Event has occurred.

There are no cash payments due under the note unless there is an event of default, and the terms that allow for the note to be cancelled after the passage of a set amount of time. The purpose of the note is to provide recourse for the State of Texas if 1^st Detect fails to fulfill the purpose of the grant, which is primarily to provide for economic development within the State of Texas. If an event of default should occur, the Company would calculate and expense accrued interest and reclassify principal from equity to notes payable in the consolidated financial statements as amounts due to the State of Texas. Management considers the likelihood of an event of default to be remote. As of June 30, 2012, no default events have occurred.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the liability method, whereby deferred tax asset or liability account balances are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and the tax bases of assets and liabilities using current tax laws and rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.