Astrotech shares surge 21.43% after-hours as 1st Detect readies TRACER 1000 for DHS $1B aviation security modernization.

Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC) surged 21.43% in after-hours trading following its announcement that subsidiary 1st Detect is prepared to support the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s $1 billion aviation security modernization initiative. The company highlighted its TRACER 1000 mass spectrometry detection system, already TSA- and ECAC-approved, as a solution to reduce false alarms and enhance screening efficiency. With its Austin production facility ready to scale immediately, Astrotech emphasized readiness to meet anticipated demand from the DHS program. The news, published on Dec. 12, 2025, underscores the company’s positioning in a critical national security market, aligning with the stock’s sharp post-market rally as investors reacted to the potential for significant contract opportunities.