SPACEHAB INC \WA\
8-K, 1997-02-27
GUIDED MISSILES & SPACE VEHICLES & PARTS
Previous: ITT CORP /NV/, SC 14D9/A, 1997-02-27
Next: SECURE COMPUTING CORP, SC 13D/A, 1997-02-27



                   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                         Washington, D.C.  20549



                                FORM 8-K

                             CURRENT REPORT

                 PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE
                     SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


            Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

                            February 12, 1997


                         Spacehab, Incorporated
         (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                               Washington
                (State or jurisdiction of incorporation)


      0-27206                                         91-1273737
(Commission File Number)                  (IRS Employer Identification No.)



              1595 Spring Hill Road, Vienna, Virginia 22182
          (Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)


                             (703) 821-3000
                     (Registrant's Telephone Number)







<PAGE>

Item 2.  Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

     On February 12, 1997,  pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of
February 5, 1997 (the "Asset Purchase Agreement"),  Spacehab,  Incorporated (the
"Registrant"),  through its wholly-owned subsidiary,  Spacehab Acquisition Corp.
("Buyer"),   acquired  substantially  all  of  the  assets  of  Astrotech  Space
Operations,  L.P.  ("Seller"),  a  subsidiary  of Northrop  Grumman  Corporation
("Northrop").  The  purchase  includes  Seller's  satellite  payload  processing
facilities and related business (the  "Business").  A copy of the Asset Purchase
Agreement  is filed  herewith  as  Exhibit  2.1 and an  amendment  to the  Asset
Purchase  Agreement is filed as Exhibit  2.2, and  reference is made thereto for
the complete terms and conditions thereof.

     The purchase price of $19 million in cash (subject to adjustment  following
an audit of the  closing  date  balance  sheet of  Seller)  was  based  upon the
estimated  net  assets  to be  acquired  as well  as the  value  of the  ongoing
business.  Registrant obtained the funds for the purchase price from the initial
public offering of shares of its Common Stock, completed in December 1995.

     Registrant  intends to continue to use the assets  purchased from Seller in
operation of the Business,  which will be known as Astrotech  Space  Operations,
Inc., a Delaware  corporation  and a wholly-owned  subsidiary of Registrant.  No
material relationship exists between Seller or Northrop and Registrant or any of
Registrant's  affiliates,  directors or officers,  or any  associate of any such
directors or officers.

Item 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits


            (c)   Exhibits.

            The following Exhibits are included with this Form 8-K:

      2.1         Asset Purchase  Agreement dated as of February 5, 1997, by and
                  among Spacehab Acquisition Corp., a Delaware  corporation,  as
                  Buyer,  Spacehab,   Incorporated,  a  Washington  corporation,
                  Astrotech   Space   Operations,   L.P.,  a  Delaware   limited
                  partnership,  as Seller, and Northrop Grumman  Corporation,  a
                  Delaware  corporation.   (Schedules  and  Exhibits  have  been
                  omitted  pursuant to Item  601(b)(2) of  Regulation  S-K. Such
                  Schedules  and Exhibits are listed and  described in the Asset
                  Purchase Agreement. Registrant hereby agrees to furnish to the
                  Securities and Exchange  Commission,  upon its request, any or
                  all such omitted Schedules and Exhibits.)
      2.2         Amendment  No.  1 to  Asset  Purchase  Agreement  dated  as of
                  February 12, 1997, by and among Spacehab  Acquisition Corp., a
                  Delaware  corporation,  as Buyer,  Spacehab,  Incorporated,  a
                  Washington  corporation,  Astrotech Space Operations,  L.P., a
                  Delaware limited partnership,  as Seller, and Northrop Grumman
                  Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

      99.1        Press Release of the Registrant, dated February 13, 1997.




<PAGE>



                               SIGNATURES


            Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                             SPACEHAB, INCORPORATED



                              By:   /s/ Margaret E. Grayson
                                   ------------------------
                                    Margaret E. Grayson
                                    Vice President and CFO


Dated:  February 27, 1997





<PAGE>


                              EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit Number    Description of Exhibit

      2.1               Asset Purchase  Agreement  dated as of February 5, 1997,
                        by and among  Spacehab  Acquisition  Corp.,  a  Delaware
                        corporation,   as  Buyer,  Spacehab,   Incorporated,   a
                        Washington  corporation,   Astrotech  Space  Operations,
                        L.P., a Delaware  limited  partnership,  as Seller,  and
                        Northrop Grumman  Corporation,  a Delaware  corporation.
                        (Schedules  and Exhibits  have been omitted  pursuant to
                        Item  601(b)(2) of Regulation  S-K.  Such  Schedules and
                        Exhibits are listed and described in the Asset  Purchase
                        Agreement.  Registrant  hereby  agrees to furnish to the
                        Securities  and Exchange  Commission,  upon its request,
                        any or all such omitted Schedules and Exhibits.)

      2.2               Amendment No. 1 to Asset Purchase  Agreement dated as of
                        February 12,  1997,  by and among  Spacehab  Acquisition
                        Corp.,  a  Delaware  corporation,  as  Buyer,  Spacehab,
                        Incorporated, a Washington corporation,  Astrotech Space
                        Operations,  L.P., a Delaware  limited  partnership,  as
                        Seller,  and Northrop  Grumman  Corporation,  a Delaware
                        corporation.

      99.1              Press Release of the Registrant, dated February 13,1997.



                                                                     Exhibit 2.1







                               ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                             Dated as of February 5, 1997

                                         among

                              SPACEHAB ACQUISITION CORP.
                a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of
                                SPACEHAB, Incorporated

                                                  "BUYER,"

                                          and

                                SPACEHAB, INCORPORATED
                               a Washington corporation

                                                  "SPACEHAB,"

                                          and

                           ASTROTECH SPACE OPERATIONS, L.P.
                            a Delaware limited partnership

                                                  "SELLER,"

                                          and

                             NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION
                                a Delaware corporation

                                                  "PARENT"

<PAGE>
                               ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT


     THIS  ASSET  PURCHASE  AGREEMENT,  dated  as  of  February  5,  1997  (this
"Agreement"),   is  by  and  among  SPACEHAB   ACQUISITION   CORP.,  a  Delaware
corporation,   as  buyer  ("Buyer"),   SPACEHAB,   INCORPORATED,   a  Washington
corporation ("SPACEHAB"),  ASTROTECH SPACE OPERATIONS,  L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership ("Seller"), and NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation
("Parent").

     WHEREAS,  Seller is engaged in the business of providing  satellite payload
processing  facilities  and related  services  to  commercial  and  governmental
customers (the "Business");

     WHEREAS,  Seller's principal offices are located at 12510 Prosperity Drive,
Silver Spring, Maryland 20904; and its principal operations occur at 515 Chaffee
Drive,  Titusville,  Florida;  and P.O.  Box  5097,  Tangair  Road at Red  Road,
Vandenberg Air Force Base, California 93437;

     WHEREAS, Seller is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent;

     WHEREAS, Buyer is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SPACEHAB;

     WHEREAS,  in order to induce Seller to enter into this Agreement,  SPACEHAB
has agreed to join in the representations and warranties, and to guarantee fully
the payment and performance of all obligations of Buyer hereunder;

     WHEREAS, in order to induce Buyer to enter into this Agreement,  Parent has
agreed to join in the representations and warranties, and to guarantee fully the
payment and performance of all obligations of Seller hereunder;

     WHEREAS,  Buyer desires to purchase on a going-concern  basis substantially
all of the assets  and the  Business  of Seller and Seller  desires to sell such
assets and the Business to Buyer, all upon the terms and conditions  hereinafter
set forth.

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  for and in consideration of the foregoing  premises,  the
representations,  warranties,  covenants and agreements herein contained and for
other good and  valuable  consideration,  the receipt and  adequacy of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:


     Article I. SALE AND PURCHASE.

     Section   1.1  Sale  and   Purchase   of  Assets.   In   reliance   on  the
representations,  warranties and covenants  contained  herein and subject to the
terms and  conditions  hereof,  on the Closing  Date (as  hereinafter  defined),
Seller will sell, assign,  convey,  transfer and deliver to Buyer free and clear
of all Liens (as hereinafter defined) other than Permitted Liens (as hereinafter
defined),  and Buyer will purchase and acquire from Seller,  on a  going-concern
basis,  all of the  Business  and  goodwill  of  Seller  and all of the  assets,
properties and rights of Seller of every kind and description, wherever located,
real,  personal or mixed,  tangible or intangible,  used or usable in connection
with the  Business,  and whether now owned or  hereafter  acquired  prior to the
Closing Date (except as otherwise  hereinafter  expressly  excluded),  including
without  limitation,  all right,  title and  interest of Seller in, to and under
(collectively, the "Assets"):

     (a)  Balance  Sheet.  All assets of Seller  reflected  on the  consolidated
balance sheet of Seller at December 31, 1996 (the  "Balance  Sheet Date") (other
than Excluded Assets as hereinafter defined),  with only such changes therein as
shall have  occurred in the  ordinary  course of business of the Business and in
accordance  with this  Agreement  between the Balance Sheet Date and the Closing
Date, or otherwise as may have been consented to in writing by Buyer;

     (b) Accounts Receivable. All accounts,  accounts receivable notes and notes
receivables  (including  all  accounts,  accounts  receivable,  notes  and notes
receivable  which have been "written off" or charged  against or to any bad debt
reserve of Seller), together with any unpaid interest or fees accrued thereon or
other amounts due with respect  thereto,  of Seller that relate to the Business,
and any security or collateral for any of the foregoing (collectively, "Accounts
Receivable");

     (c)  Personal  Property.  All  personal  property  and  interests  therein,
including,  without limitation,  machinery, fuel,  telecommunication devices and
other communications equipment,  computers,  furniture,  tools, fixtures, office
equipment,  office supplies,  containers and other packaging  materials,  safety
equipment,  maintenance  supplies and all other similar  items,  motor  vehicles
owned or leased by Seller  (including  equipment  financed  under  capital lease
obligations),  spare and  replacement  parts and other  tangible  property  (and
interests in any of the foregoing) owned by the Seller, (collectively, "Personal
Property");

<PAGE>
     (d)  Contracts.  All of Seller's  right,  title and interest in and to each
lease, license, contract,  agreement,  purchase or sales order, employee secrecy
or  confidentiality  agreement  (in  each  case  to the  extent  transferrable),
undertaking,  indenture  and  commitment,  written or oral, to which Seller is a
party or by  which  any of the  Assets  is then  bound  including  all  on-going
agreements,  licenses,  commitments,  work orders or other engagements and other
instruments  of any kind,  including all agreements  and  understandings  by any
person or entity with Seller with respect to  non-competition  or non-disclosure
that  relate to the  Business  or any of the  Assets  including  each  agreement
pursuant to which  payload  processing  services  are  provided to any entity or
governmental  agency ("Provider  Contracts"),  but excluding  Employee Plans and
Indebtedness  (all of the foregoing to be assigned to Buyer pursuant  hereto are
hereinafter  referred to collectively  as the "Contracts" and  individually as a
"Contract");

     (e) Real Property.  All owned real property,  and all other owned interests
in real property ("Real Property") and all leases of real property and all other
leased  interests in real property ("Real Property  Leases"),  in each case that
are used in the Business and in each case together with  Seller's  right,  title
and   interest  in  all   buildings,   improvements,   fixtures  and  all  other
appurtenances thereto;

     (f) Books and  Records.  All books of  account,  financial  and  accounting
records  and other  data of Seller  relating  to the Assets or the  business  or
operations  of the Business  including  catalogues  and brochures of any nature,
customers'  and suppliers'  lists and all payroll,  personnel and other employee
records,  other  than  books,  records  and other  data  relating  solely to the
Excluded  Assets  and  the  Excluded   Liabilities   (as  hereinafter   defined)
(collectively, "Records");

     (g) Names. All of Seller's  goodwill  relating to the Business and Seller's
rights  to  the  use  of the  names  and  marks  "Astrotech,"  "Astrotech  Space
Operations,  L.P.," "Astrotech Space  Operations,  Incorporated" and any and all
formative, variants and derivatives thereof (collectively, the "Names");

     (h) Future  Contracts.  Any  written  quotation,  bid or  proposal  made or
received by Seller in connection  with the Business that if accepted  would lead
to a contract with a Person (as defined herein) for the provision of services by
the Business (collectively, "Future Contracts");

     (i) Prepaid Expenses.  All expenses that have been prepaid by Seller to the
extent relating to the Business or the Assets,  including,  without  limitation,
all security  deposits required for the operation of the Business or relating to
the Assets,  prepaid real estate, sales, use and other taxes of Seller and lease
and rental  payments,  to the extent due after the Closing  Date,  but excluding
prepaid  insurance and prepaid  expenses  relating to  contracts,  agreements or
other instruments,  the liabilities and obligations with respect to which do not
constitute Assumed Liabilities (collectively, "Prepaid Expenses");

     (j) Claims. All of Seller's rights,  claims,  causes of action or rights of
set-off against third parties relating to the Business or the Assets, including,
without limitation,  third-party indemnities and rights under manufacturer's and
vendors' warranties (collectively, "Claims");

     (k) Permits. All governmental or regulatory licenses, permits,  clearances,
franchises,  approvals,  authorizations,  certificates and pending  applications
thereunder required to conduct the Business (collectively,  "Permits"), but only
to the extent transferable to Buyer;

     (l) Intellectual  Property.  (i) All mailing lists, client lists,  customer
and prospect lists,  dealer,  supplier and distributor  lists and account files,
order and order log books,  commission  records,  price lists,  confidential  or
secret processes, manuals or business procedures or information,  trade secrets,
technology, inventions, technical information, research records, market surveys,
promotional literature, sales brochures, know-how devices, discoveries, designs,
improvements,   formulae,  plans,  ideas,  concepts  and  other  proprietary  or
confidential information used in or relating to the Business (including, without
limitation,  financial  information  and pricing  arrangements  with  clients or
suppliers),  (ii) (A) all U.S.  and foreign  utility  and design  patents of any
description   and  pending   applications   therefor,   all  U.S.   and  foreign
registrations  of trademarks,  and of other marks,  all  registrations  of trade
names,  business names, logos, labels or other trade rights, all registered user
entries,  all pending  applications for any such  registrations or entries,  all
copyrights   registrations  and  pending   applications   therefor,   all  other
copyrights,  assumed  names,  service marks,  trademarks and other marks,  trade
dress, trade names and other trade rights and licenses  therefor,  and all other
inventions and designs, whether or not patentable, all Contracts relating to the
foregoing,  all to the extent that the foregoing  items are owned in whole or in
part or used by the Seller and that relate to or are used by or in the Business,
but  only  to the  extent  that  any  item  that is so used  but  not  owned  is
transferable  to  Buyer;  and  (B) all  computer  software  (including,  without
limitation,  all computer  programs,  source or object codes,  user  interfaces,
manuals,  data bases, data files and  documentation)  owned in whole or in part,
licensed or used by Seller and that relate to or are used by or in the Business,
but only to the  extent  that any  such  item  that is not  owned by  Seller  is
transferrable   to  Buyer   (collectively,   including   clauses  (A)  and  (B),
"Intellectual Property");
<PAGE>
     (m) Warranties.  All rights of Seller under express or implied  warranties,
to the extent such  warranties  are  transferable,  from the suppliers of Seller
with respect to the Assets (collectively, "Warranties");

     (n) Telephonic and Computer  Listings.  All Seller's telephone listings and
the right to use the  telephone  and  facsimile  numbers  and e-mail and website
addresses currently used in the Business; and

     (o) Other. All other real and personal property, rights and assets (whether
owned,  leased or  licensed)  of the Seller  not  listed  above and which now or
hereafter  comprise,  or which are now or hereafter used or useful in connection
with the operation of, the Business.

     Section 1.2 Excluded Assets.  Notwithstanding anything contained in Section
1.1 hereof to the contrary,  Seller is not selling, and Buyer is not purchasing,
pursuant to this Agreement, any of the following, all of which shall be retained
by Seller (hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Excluded Assets"):

     (a) Seller's minute books,  tax returns,  financial  records and employment
records and other organizational  documents and seals;  provided,  however, that
Buyer shall have  reasonable  access to such  financial  records and  employment
records  relating to the  Business and the right to review and copy such records
for as long as Seller  maintains  such records,  which shall in no event be less
than three (3) years from the Closing Date;

     (b) all books, records,  correspondence and other information which relates
exclusively to the Excluded Assets;

     (c) any tax refunds,  insurance refunds from prepaid  insurance,  insurance
deposits or recoveries from claims with respect to periods (or portions thereof)
ending prior to the Closing Date; and

     (d) any consideration received by Seller pursuant to this Agreement, or the
rights of Seller under this Agreement.

     Section 1.3 Assumption of Liabilities and Obligations. On the Closing Date,
Buyer shall assume and agree to pay,  perform and discharge  the following  (and
only the following) liabilities and obligations of the Seller to the extent (and
only  to  the  extent)   that  they  relate  to  the  Business   (the   "Assumed
Liabilities"):

     (a) all liabilities  and obligations of Seller (other than federal,  state,
local or foreign tax  liabilities  and other than notes payable,  and other than
with  respect  to the  Employee  Plans)  reflected  or  reserved  against in the
Reference Balance Sheet (as hereinafter defined),  but only if and to the extent
the same have not been paid or discharged prior to the Closing Date; and

     (b) to the extent  assignable,  all  liabilities  and obligations of Seller
under each Contract listed as being assumed by Buyer on Schedule 4.19 hereto, to
the extent such  liabilities and obligations  accrue and are required to be paid
or performed after the Closing Date.

The assumption by Buyer of the Assumed  Liabilities shall not enlarge any rights
of any Person under any contracts or arrangements with Seller. Nothing contained
herein shall prevent Buyer from contesting any of the Assumed  Liabilities  with
any third party obligee.

     Section 1.4 Excluded  Liabilities.  Except as expressly provided in Section
1.3 above, Buyer is not assuming any liabilities or obligations of the Seller of
any kind,  character or description,  whether accrued,  absolute,  contingent or
otherwise,  including, without limitation, any liability of Seller to the extent
related to the Excluded Assets, any liability under any federal, state, local or
foreign  Environmental  Laws (as  hereinafter  defined),  whether  disclosed  or
undisclosed,   known  or  unknown,   to  the  extent  arising  from  any  event,
circumstance  or condition  occurring or existing at any time on or prior to the
Closing Date (the "Excluded Liabilities"). Without limiting the foregoing, Buyer
is not  assuming any  liabilities  or  obligations  to offer  employment  to any
Personnel of the Business,  unless Buyer in its sole discretion determines to do
so, nor is Buyer assuming any  liabilities  or obligations of Seller,  Parent or
predecessor employers for wages, salary, vacation,  profit- sharing,  incentive,
deferred compensation,  welfare, pension,  retirement,  group insurance,  bonus,
severance  or other  employee  or fringe  benefit  plans or  programs or payroll
practices, including without limitation, the Employee Plans.
<PAGE>

     Article II. PURCHASE PRICE; ADJUSTMENT.

     Section  2.1  Purchase  Price.  The  purchase  price to be paid by Buyer to
Seller for the Assets  being  purchased by Buyer  hereunder is Nineteen  Million
Dollars  ($19,000,000),  adjusted  in  accordance  with the terms of Section 2.2
hereof (the "Purchase  Price").  On the Closing Date,  Buyer shall pay to Seller
the Purchase  Price, in immediately  available  funds (cash,  certified check or
wire transfer to such bank account or accounts as Seller shall have  theretofore
designated  in  writing  to Buyer at least two (2)  business  days  prior to the
Closing Date).

     Section 2.2 Adjustment of Purchase Price.

     (a) Closing  Balance Sheet.  As soon as practicable  after the Closing Date
but within  thirty (30)  calendar  days after the  Closing  Date,  Seller  shall
prepare,  and shall deliver to Buyer, at Seller's expense,  an unaudited balance
sheet (the  "Closing  Balance  Sheet") of the  Business as at the Closing  Date,
which Closing Balance Sheet shall be reviewed by the Seller's independent public
accountants, and accompanied by a certification of Seller's principal accounting
officer (the  "Certification") to the effect that the accounting principles used
in  preparing  the  Closing  Balance  Sheet are  consistent  with  those used in
preparing the Reference Balance Sheet (as hereinafter  defined),  except that no
allowance  for  depreciation  or  amortization  shall be made from the Reference
Balance Sheet to the Closing Balance Sheet.  For purposes of the Closing Balance
Sheet and the Reference Balance Sheet, "net asset value" shall mean total assets
minus total  liabilities,  with  property,  plant and  equipment  on the Closing
Balance Sheet reported on the same basis as on the Reference Balance Sheet.

     (b) Review of Closing  Balance Sheet.  Buyer shall have the right to review
the Closing Balance Sheet and Seller shall provide Buyer with access to the work
papers used in connection  with the preparation of the Closing Balance Sheet. If
Buyer does not notify Seller to the contrary  within  forty-five (45) days after
the date the  Closing  Balance  Sheet is  delivered  to Buyer,  then the Closing
Balance Sheet  delivered by Seller shall be deemed to be final,  conclusive  and
binding on the parties.  If,  however,  Buyer notifies  Seller in writing within
such period that it believes  the Closing  Balance  Sheet was not  prepared on a
basis  consistent  with that used in preparing the  Reference  Balance Sheet and
specifies (i) the items as to which it believes the accounting  principles  used
in preparing  the Closing  Balance  Sheet were  inconsistent  with those used in
preparing the Reference  Balance Sheet and (ii) the amount of the  adjustment it
proposes  with  respect to each item,  the parties  will then attempt to resolve
their  differences  with respect  thereto.  If the parties are unable to resolve
their dispute,  the disputed items shall be referred,  within one-hundred twenty
(120) days after the date the Closing  Balance  Sheet is delivered to Buyer,  to
Ernst & Young, LLP,  certified public  accountants (the "Firm") (or if such firm
is unable or unwilling to serve,  to another "Big Six"  accounting firm selected
by mutual  agreement of the parties)  which shall be asked to determine  whether
there was an inconsistency in the application of accounting  principles  between
those used in preparing the Reference  Balance Sheet and those used in preparing
the  Closing  Balance  Sheet and report to Seller and Buyer upon such  remaining
disputed items within  forty-five  (45) days after such  referral.  As stated in
Section 2.2(a),  no adjustment or allowance shall be made on the Closing Balance
Sheet for depreciation or amortization  after the Reference  Balance Sheet Date.
The decision of the Firm shall be final,  conclusive  and binding on the parties
hereto.  The fees and expenses of the Firm shall be shared  equally by Buyer and
Seller.

     (c)  Cooperation.  Representatives  of Seller  shall be given access to all
books,  records and other data of the Business for the purpose of preparing  the
Closing Balance Sheet. Personnel of the Buyer may be consulted from time to time
by such representatives.

     (d) Settlement of Adjustment of Purchase Price.  Within ten (10) days after
the final  determination of the Closing Balance Sheet, Seller shall pay to Buyer
the  amount  by which the net asset  value of the  Business  as set forth on the
Reference Balance Sheet exceeds the net asset value of the Business as set forth
on the Closing  Balance Sheet,  or Buyer shall pay to Seller the amount by which
the net asset value of the  Business as set forth on the Closing  Balance  Sheet
exceeds the net asset value as set forth on the Reference Sheet, as the case may
be. In the event Buyer  disputes any part of the Closing  Balance Sheet pursuant
to the  provisions  of Section  2.2(b)  hereof,  those  portions  of the Closing
Balance Sheet which are not in dispute shall be deemed finally  determined,  and
the payer of any  adjustment  due in accordance  with this Section  2.2(d) shall
nevertheless pay to the payee, within thirty (30) days after the Closing Balance
Sheet is delivered to Buyer by Seller, all amounts then due with respect to such
portion of the Closing  Balance Sheet which has been deemed finally  determined.
The amount of the payments  described  in this  Section  2.2(d) shall be paid by
Seller  to  Buyer,  or by Buyer to  Seller,  as the case may be,  with  interest
thereon from the Closing Date to the date of such payment,  calculated at a rate
equal to "Prime Rate" quoted by The Chase  Manhattan Bank, New York, New York on
the Closing Date, in immediately  available funds remitted by wire transfer to a
bank designated by the payee thereof.

     Section 2.3 Allocation of Purchase  Price.  The Purchase Price, as adjusted
pursuant  to Section 2.2 hereof (and all other  capitalizable  costs),  shall be
allocated  among the various  categories  of Assets,  in such manner as shall be
negotiated  and agreed by the parties hereto in good faith,  in accordance  with
Section 1060 of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended (the "Code") and
the regulations  promulgated  thereunder and all applicable provisions of state,
local or foreign law. Each of the parties  hereto agrees to prepare and file all
Tax Returns (as such term is hereinafter defined in Section 4.8), including Form
8594, in a manner consistent with such allocation and to report this transaction
for federal,  state,  local and foreign  income tax purposes in accordance  with
such  allocation of the Purchase Price and shall use its best efforts to sustain
such allocation in any subsequent tax audit or dispute.
<PAGE>

     Section 2.4 Closing  Proration.  After Closing,  any ad valorem,  use, real
property,   personal   property  and  other  taxes,   installments   or  special
assessments,  utility,  water or similar  payments  which become due and payable
after the Closing  Date and relate to periods  both before and after the Closing
Date shall be prorated and  adjusted  between each of Seller and Buyer as of the
Closing Date on a per diem basis and Seller shall be responsible for and pay the
portion of such amounts  allocable to the period prior to the Closing  Date.  If
current tax bills are  unavailable  at the Closing  Date,  the prior  year's tax
bills shall be used for proration purposes and when the current year's tax bills
are received,  the proration shall be recalculated  and the appropriate  payment
shall be made forthwith.


     Article III. THE CLOSING.  The closing (the "Closing") of the  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement  shall  take  place  at the  offices  of  Dewey
Ballantine,  1301 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019, on the third
business day after all of the  conditions  to each  parties'  obligations  under
Articles VII and VIII have been  satisfied or waived,  or at such time and place
as shall be mutually agreed to by the parties (the "Closing Date").

     Article  IV.  REPRESENTATIONS  AND  WARRANTIES  OF  SELLER.  Seller  hereby
represents and warrants to Buyer and SPACEHAB as follows:

     Section 4.1 Seller's Organization, Good Standing, Capitalization. Seller is
a limited  partnership,  duly organized,  validly  existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of  Delaware.  Seller  has all  requisite  power and
authority  to carry on its  business as it is now being  conducted,  and is duly
qualified  to do  business as a foreign  entity and is in good  standing in each
jurisdiction in which such  qualification is necessary under applicable law with
respect to the Business,  except where the failure to be so qualified  would not
have a  material  adverse  effect  on the  Assets,  the  Business,  the  Assumed
Liabilities or the condition (financial or otherwise), the earnings or prospects
of Seller, taken as a whole (a "Material Adverse Effect").

     Section  4.2  Authority;  Execution;  Delivery.  Seller  has full power and
authority to enter into this  Agreement,  including  all  Schedules and Exhibits
hereto,  and the  other  agreements,  instruments,  certificates  and  documents
required or  contemplated  hereby or thereby to be executed or  delivered by it,
and to sell the Assets and the Business in  accordance  with the terms hereof so
as to vest in Buyer on the Closing Date good and marketable title to the Assets,
free and clear of any claim, lien, pledge, option, charge,  security interest or
encumbrance of any nature whatsoever  (collectively,  "Liens"), except Permitted
Liens.  The  execution,  delivery and  performance  of this Agreement by Seller,
including without limitation,  the sales, conveyances,  transfers and deliveries
contemplated hereby, have been duly and effectively  authorized by all necessary
corporate  or  other   organizational   action.  No  other  corporate  or  other
organizational proceedings on the part of Seller are necessary to authorize this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly
executed and  delivered by Seller and  constitutes  (and any subleases and other
agreements contemplated hereby,  including each of the instruments of conveyance
and  transfer  contemplated  by  Section  8.3  hereof,  when duly  executed  and
delivered by Seller will constitute) the legal, valid and binding obligations of
Seller,  enforceable  against Seller in accordance with their respective  terms,
except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, or other
similar  laws  affecting  the  enforcement  of  creditors   rights  in  general,
moratorium laws or by general principles of equity.

     Section  4.3  Consents;  No  Violation,  Etc.  (a) Except as  reflected  in
Schedule 4.3(a),  no authorization,  consent,  approval,  license,  exemption by
filing  or   registration   with  any   court,   arbitrator   or   governmental,
administrative  or  self-regulatory  authority,  is  or  will  be  necessary  in
connection  with the entry into,  execution,  delivery and  performance  of this
Agreement  or any of the  documents  relating to the  transactions  contemplated
hereunder by Seller,  or for the consummation of the  transactions  contemplated
hereby and thereby.

     (b) Except as set forth on Schedule  4.3(b)  hereto,  neither the execution
and delivery of this Agreement,  the other agreements  contemplated  hereby, the
consummation of the transactions  contemplated herein or therein, nor compliance
by Seller with any of the provisions hereof or thereof will (with or without the
giving of notice or the passage of time) (i) violate, conflict with, result in a
breach of,  constitute  a default  under,  or result in the creation of any Lien
upon the Assets,  under any of the terms,  conditions  or  provisions of (A) the
certificate  of limited  partnership  and  agreement of limited  partnership  of
Seller, (B) any note, bond, mortgage,  indenture, deed of trust, or any license,
agreement,  or any other instrument or obligation to which Seller is a party, or
by  which  Seller  or any of  Seller's  assets  or  properties  may be  bound or
affected, (ii) violate any judgment,  order, writ, injunction,  decree, statute,
law,  rule or  regulation  applicable  to  Seller or any of  Seller's  assets or
properties or (iii) affect any Permit  transferable to Buyer (as defined herein)
that is  required  for the  conduct of the  Business  or that is required of any
employee  or agent of Seller to enable  him to carry out his duties on behalf of
Seller pursuant to the terms of any such Permit,  except in each case insofar as
any  such  violation,  conflict,  breach,  default,  acceleration,  termination,
cancellation,  creation  of Lien,  failure  to  obtain  any  consent,  approval,
permission or other authorization, qualification or filing, or impairment of any
Permit would not have with respect to clauses (i)(B),  (ii) and (iii) a Material
Adverse Effect.
<PAGE>

     Section 4.4 No Other Agreements to Sell the Assets or the Business.  Seller
has no legal obligation,  absolute or contingent, to any other person or firm to
sell the Assets or the Business,  to issue or sell any  partnership  interest or
any security  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for a partnership  interest of
Seller, or to effect any merger, consolidation or other reorganization, directly
or  indirectly,  of Seller or to enter into any  agreement  with  respect to the
foregoing.

     Section 4.5 Financial  Statements.  Attached hereto as Schedule 4.5 are the
financial  statements  of Seller at and for the fiscal years ended  December 31,
1994,  1995 and  1996,  collectively,  the  "Financial  Statements").  Except as
disclosed on, Schedule 4.5, such Financial  Statements (a) have been prepared in
accordance  with the books and  records of  Seller;  (b) have been  prepared  in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby;
(c) fairly  present the  financial  condition  and results of  operations of the
Business as of the date  thereof  and for the period  covered  therein;  and (d)
contain and reflect all necessary  adjustments  and accruals,  subject to normal
year-end adjustments, for a fair presentation of the financial condition and the
results of  operations of the Business as of the date thereof and for the period
covered by such  Financial  Statements.  The balance  sheet at the Balance Sheet
Date, as adjusted, is herein referred to as the "Reference Balance Sheet" and is
set forth as Exhibit A hereto.

     Section 4.6 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities and Obligations. To the best
of Seller's knowledge after due inquiry, neither the Seller nor the Business has
any  liabilities  or  obligations  of any  nature  (whether  accrued,  absolute,
contingent  or  otherwise)  other than (a)  liabilities  reflected  or  reserved
against  in  the  Financial  Statements  and  (b)  liabilities  and  obligations
specifically disclosed on a Schedule hereto.

     Section 4.7 Absence of Certain  Changes or Events.  Except as  disclosed on
Schedule 4.7 hereto, since the Balance Sheet Date, there has not been any:

     (a) change in the Business which has or is reasonably likely to result in a
Material Adverse Effect;

     (b)  change  in the  partnership  interests  outstanding,  issuance  of any
security  convertible  into partnership  interests or any  declaration,  setting
aside,  or payment  of any  dividend  or other  distribution  (whether  in cash,
securities, property or otherwise) in respect of Seller's partnership interests;

     (c) increase in the compensation  payable or to become payable by Seller in
connection  with  the  Business  to any  of  its  current  or  former  officers,
directors, employees,  consultants or agents (collectively,  the "Personnel") or
any increase of general  applicability in the compensation  payable to Personnel
(other than pursuant to existing  corporate  policies,  practices and procedures
described on Schedule  4.17 hereto and as in effect on the Balance  Sheet Date),
or any  amendment to any Employee  Plan or the adoption of any new Employee Plan
that would  increase the benefits or rights of company  Personnel  participating
under such Plans;

     (d)  significant  labor  trouble or any material  controversy  or unsettled
grievance  pending or, to the best of  Seller's  knowledge,  threatened  between
Seller and any Personnel or a collective bargaining organization representing or
seeking to represent Personnel;

     (e)  mortgage,  pledge  or  subjection  to any Lien of any  Asset  except a
Permitted Lien;

     (f) sale, assignment or transfer of any material Asset or any conducting of
business other than in the ordinary course;

     (g) waiver of any  material  rights of Seller with  respect to the Business
whether or not in the ordinary course of business;

     (h) cancellation,  termination or entering into of, or modification to, any
material Contract;

     (i) material  liability or loss  incurred with respect to any of the Assets
or the operation of the Business,  except  liabilities  incurred in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice;

<PAGE>
     (j) any capital  expenditure  or execution of any lease with respect to any
of the Assets or any  aspect of the  Business,  or any  incurring  of  liability
therefor, requiring any payment or payments in excess of $10,000 individually or
$250,000 in the aggregate;

     (k) borrowing or lending of money by or pledging the credit of the Business
or guaranteeing of any indebtedness of others by the Business;

     (l)  failure  to  operate  the  Business  in the  ordinary  course so as to
preserve the  Business  intact,  to keep  available to Buyer the services of the
Personnel,  and to preserve for Buyer the goodwill of the Business's  suppliers,
customers and others having business relations with it;

     (m) loss of service of any Personnel that is or are material,  individually
or in the aggregate, to the conduct of the Business;

     (n) material  change in  accounting  practice of Seller with respect to the
Business, except as required by GAAP;

     (o) material  cancellations  by any supplier,  customer or contractor  with
respect to any of the Assets or the Business;

     (p) any agreement,  arrangement or understanding by Seller to do any of the
foregoing.

     Section 4.8 Taxes. (a) For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Tax" means
any net or gross income,  gross receipts,  sales,  use, rental,  value added, ad
valorem, transfer, turnover, franchise, profits, license, withholding,  payroll,
employment, excise, capital, severance, stamp, occupation,  premium, property or
windfall profits tax, alternative or add-on minimum tax, customs,  duty or other
tax,  fee,  assessment  or  charge  of any kind  whatsoever,  together  with any
interest and any penalty,  fine, addition to tax or additional amount imposed by
any  governmental  department,  court or other  authority,  whether  domestic or
foreign.

     (b) For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Tax Return" means any report,
return,  declaration,  statement,  form,  extension or other  document  filed or
required  to be  filed  with any  federal,  state,  local or other  governmental
department, court or other authority in respect of Taxes.

     (c) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.8(c),  all Tax Returns required to be
filed on or before the Closing  Date by or on behalf of Seller have been or will
be timely filed on or before the Closing Date.  All such Tax Returns were (or to
the extent not yet filed will be) true,  complete  and  correct in all  material
respects and filed on a timely basis.

     (d) Seller has, within the time and the manner prescribed by law, paid (and
until the Closing Date will pay within the time and in the manner  prescribed by
law) all Taxes required to be paid by it.

     (e) Seller has  complied  (and until the Closing  Date will  comply) in all
material  respects  with the  provisions of the Code relating to the payment and
withholding  of  Taxes,  including  without  limitation,   the  withholding  and
reporting  requirements under Sections 1441 through 1464, 3401 through 3406, and
6041 and 6049 of the Code, as well as similar  provisions  under any other laws,
and has,  within the time and in the manner  prescribed  by law,  withheld  from
employee wages and paid over to the proper governmental  authorities all amounts
required to be so paid.

     (f) Seller has not waived any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or
agreed to any  extension of time with respect to a Tax  assessment or deficiency
and there are no outstanding deficiencies, assessments, or written proposals for
the  assessment of any amount of Taxes  proposed,  asserted or assessed  against
Seller.  All  deficiencies  proposed  as a result of any audit  currently  being
conducted with respect to Seller have been paid, reserved against,  settled, or,
as  described  in  Schedule  4.8(f),  are  being  contested  in  good  faith  by
appropriate proceedings.

     (g) Seller has  established  (and until the Closing Date will  maintain) on
its books and records reserves adequate to pay all Taxes attributable to periods
prior to the Closing Date and not yet due and payable in accordance with GAAP.

     (h) True, correct and complete copies of all Tax Returns filed with respect
to sales, use, rental, value added, turnover, transfer, real property or similar
taxes during the three year period ending on the date hereof have been delivered
to  Buyer.  Except  as set  forth  on  Schedule  4.8(h),  Seller  does  not file
franchise,  income or other  Tax  Returns  in any  jurisdiction  based  upon the
ownership or use of its property therein or its derivation of income therefrom.

     (i) There are no Liens for Taxes (other than for current  Taxes not yet due
and payable) on the Assets.
<PAGE>
     (j) None of the Assets is property  that is required to be treated as being
owned by any other person pursuant to the safe harbor lease provisions of former
Section 168(f)(8) of the Code.

     (k) None of the Assets directly or indirectly secures any debt the interest
on which is tax-exempt under Section 103(a) of the Code.

     (l) None of the Assets is "tax-exempt  use property"  within the meaning of
Section 168(h) of the Code.

     (m) Seller is not a party to any contract or agreement or other arrangement
that,  separately  or in the  aggregate,  could give rise to the  payment of any
"excess parachute payment" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code.

     Section 4.9 Accounts  Receivable.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.9, the
Accounts  Receivable  of the  Business  arose out of the sale of services in the
ordinary  course of the  Business,  have been billed or invoiced in the ordinary
course of the Business in accordance with all applicable  laws,  regulations and
administrative  rulings and procedures,  represent bona fide indebtedness of the
applicable  account debtor not subject to defense,  set-off or counterclaim  and
are  collectible  in full,  net of the  reserves  set  forth in the books of the
Seller.

     Section 4.10 Copies of Documents.  Seller has previously delivered to Buyer
true  and  complete  copies  of (or,  in the  case  of any  oral  agreements  or
arrangements, true and complete written summaries thereof):

     (a) all deeds,  Real  Property  Leases and Contracts  listed,  described or
referred to in Schedule 4.19;

     (b) (i) copies of all Employee  Plans, or in the case of an unwritten plan,
a written description  thereof, and (ii) copies of all summary plan descriptions
and other  material  employee  communications  relating to such Employee  Plans,
listed, described or referred to in Schedule 4.16(a);

     (c)  list of  insurance  contracts  relating  to and  written  descriptions
(including  summary plan descriptions) or policies for the Employee Plans listed
in Schedule 4.16(a);

     (d) all registrations,  grants, applications, contracts and other materials
included in the Intellectual Properties listed in Schedule 4.12;

     (e) all material  Permits,  including without  limitation,  those items set
forth in Schedule 4.10(e);

     (f) the  certificate  of  limited  partnership  and  agreement  of  limited
partnership (or similar  organizational  documents) of Seller  (certified by its
General Partner) as in full force and effect as of the date hereof and copies of
the minute books of the foregoing;

     (g) copies of all environmental  reports or studies prepared by Seller, its
agents, employees or representatives, or by third parties commissioned by or for
Seller, or any other environmental report in Seller's possession relating to the
Business; and

     (h) copies of all written  results of any  examinations  of the Business by
any  governmental  agency,  whether  federal,  state or local,  in the past five
years.

     Section 4.11 Tangible Properties. (a) An asset register of the Seller as of
a recent  date along with a list of all Real  Property  is set forth on Schedule
4.11 hereto. Seller has good and marketable title (and with respect to all owned
real  property,  fee simple  title) to all the Assets,  free and clear of Liens,
except for (i) the lien of current  real and personal  property  taxes which are
not yet due and  payable,  (ii)  such  covenants,  restrictions,  encroachments,
easements and Liens, if any, as do not detract from the value, or interfere with
the  present  occupancy  or use,  of any of the Assets or  otherwise  materially
impair the  operations of the Business and (iii) the items set forth on Schedule
4.11(a)  hereto  ("Permitted  Liens").  Seller  possesses and quietly enjoys all
premises  owned or leased by it, and such premises are not subject to any Liens,
easements,  rights-of-way,  building use or occupancy restrictions,  exceptions,
reservations  or  limitations  that in any material  respect  interfere  with or
impair the present and continued use thereof in the usual and normal  conduct of
the  Business.  All Real  Property  owned by  Seller  complies  in all  material
respects with any applicable zoning  regulation,  ordinance or other law, order,
regulation or requirement  relating to the occupancy and operations thereof and,
to the  best of  Seller's  knowledge,  each of the  premises  leased  by  Seller
complies in all material respects with all such applicable  regulations or laws.
Seller  has not  received  notice  of any  pending  or  threatened  condemnation
proceedings relating to Seller's owned or leased properties and, so far as known
to Seller, there are no such pending or threatened proceedings.

<PAGE>
     (b) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11(b) hereto, the plants, structures,
tangible  properties  and equipment  owned,  operated or leased by Seller are in
good operating condition and repair (ordinary wear and tear, excepted),  and are
in conformity in all material  respects with all  applicable  laws,  ordinances,
orders,   regulations  and  other  requirements  (including  applicable  zoning,
environmental, occupational safety and health laws and regulations) presently in
effect or, to Seller's knowledge, presently scheduled to take effect.

     Section 4.12 Intellectual  Property.  (a) All domestic and foreign patents,
patent applications,  trademarks,  trademark registrations,  servicemarks, trade
names,  registered copyrights and licenses with respect to the foregoing,  owned
in whole or in part,  related  to or used by Seller  and that  relate to and are
used by the Business are set forth on Schedule  4.12(a).  Except as set forth on
Schedule  4.12(b),  Seller is the sole and exclusive  owner of the  Intellectual
Property,  and the Seller is listed in the records of the  appropriate  U.S. and
foreign  governmental  agency as the sole and exclusive owner of record for each
registration,  grant and  application  listed in  Schedule  4.12(a)  which is so
registered, granted or for which an application has been filed.

     (b) All  registration and maintenance fees that have become due and payable
in respect of any grant or registration of any  Intellectual  Property have been
paid and no act has been done or omitted to be done by Seller,  or any  licensee
thereof or any holder of any rights with respect thereto,  to impair or dedicate
to the public or entitle any U.S. or foreign governmental authority or any other
Person  to  cancel,  forfeit,  modify or  consider  abandoned  any  Intellectual
Property,  or to give any Person any rights  with  respect  thereto,  and all of
Seller's rights in the Intellectual Property are valid,  enforceable and free of
defects.  Seller has no  knowledge  of any facts or claims  which cause or might
cause any patent to be invalid or unenforceable, and Seller has not received any
notice of an intention on the part of any Person to assert such a claim.  Except
as set forth on Schedule 4.12(b),  Seller owns or otherwise has the right to use
any and all  Intellectual  Property  that  is  used in or is  necessary  for the
conduct of its  Business  free and clear of any Lien,  royalty or other  payment
obligations.

     (c) Neither Seller nor the Business as currently conducted,  is in conflict
with or in violation or infringement  of, nor has the Seller received any notice
of any conflict with or violation or  infringement  of, nor are  proceedings  or
claims  pending,  nor have any such  proceedings  or claims been  instituted  or
asserted  in writing  against the Seller,  nor are any  proceedings  threatened,
alleging any violation,  nor is there any valid basis for any such proceeding or
claim,  of any rights or asserted rights of any other Person with respect to any
Intellectual Property of such other Person.

     (d) Except as set forth on Schedule  4.12(d),  no  proceedings or claims in
which Seller alleges that any Person is infringing upon, or otherwise violating,
any of the  Intellectual  Property  are  pending,  and none have been served by,
instituted or asserted by Seller,  nor are any proceedings  threatened  alleging
any such violation or infringement,  nor does Seller know of any valid basis for
any such proceeding or claim.

     (e) The Seller has taken all actions  consistent with standard  practice in
its industry to preserve and maintain its Intellectual  Property relating to the
Business.

     Section  4.13  Assets.  The Assets  represent  all of the Real and Personal
Property,  Real Property  Leases,  Intellectual  Property,  Permits,  Contracts,
Future  Contracts,  Claims  or  other  agreements,  assets  or  rights  that are
necessary  for the  operation  of the  Business as now  operated.  Seller is the
lawful  owner of or has the right to use and shall at Closing  have the right to
transfer to Buyer each of the Assets.  The delivery to Buyer of the  instruments
of transfer  of  ownership  contemplated  by this  Agreement  will vest good and
marketable  title to the Assets in Buyer on the Closing Date,  free and clear of
all Liens, other than Permitted Liens.

     Section 4.14 Insurance. All policies of insurance are in force with respect
to Seller including policy numbers,  names,  expiration dates,  descriptions and
amounts  of  coverage  and  annual  premiums  as of the  Balance  Sheet Date (or
renewals  thereof),  are set forth in Schedule 4.14 and are outstanding and duly
in force on the date hereof.  Such policies are in the amounts shown in Schedule
4.14 and insure against such losses and risks as are adequate in accordance with
customary  industry practice to protect the Assets and the Business,  subject to
Seller's  self-insurance  retention levels.  Seller has not received notice from
any insurer or agent of such insurer that  substantial  capital  improvements or
other expenditures will have to be made in order to continue such insurance and,
so far as known to Seller, no such improvements or expenditures are required.

     Section  4.15  Employment  Matters.  Except as set forth on  Schedule  4.15
hereto,  with respect to the  Personnel,  (i) there are no pending claims by any
current or former  Personnel  against  Seller  other than for  compensation  and
benefits due in the  ordinary  course of  employment;  (ii) there are no pending
claims  against  Seller  arising out of any  statute,  ordinance  or  regulation
relating to employment practices or occupational or safety and health standards;
(iii) there are no pending or, to the best knowledge of Seller, threatened labor
disputes,  strikes  or work  stoppages  against  Seller;  and  (iv) to the  best
knowledge  of Seller,  there are no union  organizing  activities  in process or
contemplated  with  respect  to  the  Business.  Schedule  4.15  identifies  all
collective  bargaining units, if any, which have been certified or recognized by
Seller  with  respect to the  Personnel,  and Buyer has been  supplied  with all
collective bargaining agreements, if any, covering Seller's employees.  Schedule
4.15 also identifies all employees on leave of absence and all current or former
employees and their dependents receiving health benefits, or eligible to receive
health benefits, as required by COBRA. Notice of the availability of health care
continuation  coverage for employees of Seller,  former  employees of Seller and
their dependents,  or any qualified beneficiary of such employees, in accordance
with the  requirements  of COBRA  ("COBRA  Coverage"),  has been provided to all
persons entitled  thereto,  and all persons electing such coverage are being (or
have been, if applicable) provided such coverage.
<PAGE>

     Section 4.16 Employee Benefit Plans. A list of all employee profit-sharing,
incentive, deferred compensation, welfare, pension, retirement, group insurance,
bonus,  severance and other employee  benefit plans,  arrangements or agreements
(oral or written), regardless of whether any such plan, arrangement or agreement
is an "employee benefit plan" within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee
Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974,  as amended  ("ERISA"),  maintained or
previously  maintained or contributed to or previously  contributed to by Seller
or Parent for the benefit of current or former Personnel  ("Employee  Plans") is
set forth on Schedule 4.16(a).

     (a) The  Employee  Plans by  their  terms  and  operation  are in  material
compliance  with all applicable laws  (including,  but not limited to, ERISA and
the Code).  There are no actions,  suits or claims pending or threatened  (other
than  routine  noncontested  claims for  benefits)  or, to  Seller's or Parent's
knowledge,  no set of circumstances exist which may reasonably give rise to such
a claim  against any  Employee  Plan or  administrator  or fiduciary of any such
Employee Plan.

     (b) Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.16(b),  neither Seller nor any entity
that is or was at any  time  treated  as a single  employer  with  Seller  under
Section  414(b),  (c),  (m) or (o) of the Code  has at any time (i)  maintained,
contributed  to or been required to contribute to any plan under which more than
one  employer  makes  contributions  (within the  meaning of Section  4064(a) of
ERISA) or any plan that is a  multiemployer  plan (within the meaning of Section
3(37) of ERISA),  (ii) incurred or expects to incur any liability to the Pension
Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation  or  otherwise  under  Title IV of ERISA or (iii)
incurred  or expects  to incur  liability  in  connection  with an  "accumulated
funding  deficiency"  within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code,  whether or
not waived.

     (c) Buyer will have no liability for the following  items (i) through (iv),
regardless of whether the events contemplated by this Agreement (either alone or
together  with any other  event) (i) entitle any current or former  Personnel to
severance pay,  unemployment  compensation,  or other similar payments under any
Employee Plan or law, (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting or increase
the  amount of  benefits  due under any  Employee  Plan or  compensation  to any
current or former Personnel,  (iii) result in any payments (including  parachute
payments)  under any Employee  Plan or law becoming due to any current or former
Personnel,  or  (iv)  terminate  or  modify  or give a  third  party a right  to
terminate or modify the provisions or terms of any Employee Plan.

     (d)  To  the  extent  applicable,  Seller  has  complied  with  the  Worker
Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, as amended ("WARN").

     (e) The names and current  annual rates of  compensation  of all Personnel,
together  with a summary  (containing  estimates  to the  extent  necessary)  of
bonuses,  additional  compensation  (whether current or deferred) and other like
benefits,  if any,  paid or  payable to such  persons  in the fiscal  year ended
December 31, 1996, or subsequent thereto are set forth on Schedule 4.16(e).

     Section 4.17 Litigation. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.17 hereto, there
is  neither  (a) any  litigation,  proceeding,  arbitral  action  or  government
investigation  pending  or,  so far as  known  to  Seller,  threatened  against,
relating to or affecting (i) the Business or the Assets,  (ii) any Employee Plan
or any  fiduciary  or  administrator  thereof,  (iii)  Personnel in reference to
actions taken by them in such capacities or (iv) the  transactions  contemplated
by this  Agreement,  nor (b) any  valid  basis  known  to  Seller  for any  such
litigation,  proceeding or investigation which if adversely determined could, in
any one case or in the aggregate,  have a Material Adverse Effect.  There are no
decrees, injunctions or orders of any court or governmental department or agency
outstanding against Seller with respect to the Business or the Assets.

     Section 4.18  Compliance with Laws. (a) Seller has and, to the knowledge of
Seller, all Personnel have complied in all material respects with all applicable
statutes,  regulations, rules, orders, ordinances and other laws ("Laws") of the
United States of America,  all state,  local and foreign  governments  and other
governmental  bodies  and  authorities,  and  agencies  of any of the  foregoing
("Governmental  Authority") to which they are subject with respect to regulatory
matters.  Seller has  maintained  all records  required to be  maintained by all
governmental authorities and there are no presently existing circumstances known
to Seller  after due inquiry  which would result or would be likely to result in
violations of any such Laws.

     (b) Seller is and,  to the  knowledge  of Seller,  all  Personnel  are,  in
compliance with all applicable  statutes,  laws,  ordinances,  rules, orders and
regulations  of  any  Governmental  Authority  (including,  without  limitation,
Environmental  Laws  (as such  term is  hereinafter  defined  in  Section  4.24)
applicable to the Business), except to the extent noncompliance would not have a
Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.18(b), Seller has not
received any notice or other communication to the effect that, or otherwise been
advised that,  they are not in compliance  with any of such Laws, and Seller has
no reason to anticipate that any presently existing  circumstances are likely to
result in  violations  of any such Laws which  could,  in any one case or in the
aggregate,  have a Material Adverse Effect.  To the best of Seller's  knowledge,
there is not presently  pending any proceeding,  hearing or  investigation  with
respect to the  adoption of  amendments  or  modifications  to existing  laws or
ordinances,  regulations or restrictions  which,  if adopted,  could, in any one
case or in the aggregate,  have a Material Adverse Effect on the Business or the
Assets taken as a whole.
<PAGE>

     (c) Seller has not made,  and, to the knowledge of Seller,  no Personnel or
representative  of Seller  or any  person  acting on behalf of Seller  has made,
directly or indirectly with respect to the Business, any bribes,  kickbacks,  or
other illegal payments or illegal political contributions, illegal payments from
corporate funds to governmental  officials in their  individual  capacities,  or
illegal payments from corporate funds to obtain or retain business either within
the United States or abroad.

     Section 4.19 Validity of Leases and Contracts. Each Real Property Lease and
Contract of Seller is listed on Schedule  4.19  hereto.  Except as  disclosed on
Schedule  4.19,  each Real Property  Lease or Contract  pursuant to which Seller
leases real or personal property and each other Contract or Future Contract,  is
valid and  enforceable in accordance with its terms and Seller is not in default
under any  material  provision  of any such  lease or  contract.  To the best of
Seller's  knowledge,  upon  Buyer's  assumption  of the  lessee's  or  obligor's
liability thereunder, each such lease (or sublease) and each such contract as is
assigned at the Closing  will be valid and binding and  enforceable  by Buyer in
accordance  with its terms.  To the best of Seller's  knowledge,  any party from
whom  Seller  leases real or  personal  property  included in the Assets and any
party which is a party to any Contract or Future Contract,  is not, and will not
be with due  notice  or lapse of time or both,  in  material  default  under any
provision of any such lease, agreement or contract or commitment.

     Section  4.20 No Brokers.  Seller has not  entered  into and will not enter
into any agreement,  arrangement or understanding  with any person or firm which
will  result  in the  obligation  of Buyer to pay any  finder's  fee,  brokerage
commission or similar payment in connection with the  transactions  contemplated
hereby or any other transaction.

     Section  4.21  Transactions  with Certain  Persons.  Except as disclosed on
Schedule 4.21 hereto, no affiliate,  shareholder, officer, director, employee or
agent of Seller,  or member of his or her immediate  family is presently a party
to any material  transaction with Seller relating to the Assets or the Business,
including,  without limitation, any contract, agreement or other arrangement (a)
providing  for the  furnishing  of services by, (b)  providing for the rental of
real or personal  property from, or (c) otherwise  requiring  payments to (other
than services as officers,  directors or employees) any such person or entity in
which any such  person has a  substantial  interest as a  shareholder,  officer,
director, trustee, member partner or similar status.

     Section 4.22 Records.  The Records of Seller relating to the Assets and the
Business have been  maintained in all material  respects in accordance with good
business  practices  and as  applicable,  in accordance  with GAAP  consistently
applied. The minute books of the Seller are correct, complete and current in all
material respects.

     Section  4.23  Warranties.  The  terms of any  warranties  relating  to the
services  provided by the Business are set forth on Schedule 4.23. Except as set
forth on Schedule 4.23, Seller has not made any express  warranties with respect
to services provided by the Business and, to the best of Seller's knowledge,  no
other warranties have been made by Personnel.

     Section  4.24  Environmental  Matters.  (a) Except as described on Schedule
4.24  hereto,  no  substance  defined as or subject to  regulation  as hazardous
substances, hazardous or toxic pollutants or hazardous wastes, in or pursuant to
any of the Clean Air Act,  the Clean Water Act, the  Resource  Conservation  and
Recovery  Act  of  1976,  the  Hazardous   Materials   Transportation  Act,  the
Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,  Compensation  and Liability Act of 1980
("CERCLA"),  the Emergency  Planning and Community  Right-to-Know  Act or in any
other federal,  state or local  environmental  law in effect on the Closing Date
(collectively,  "Environmental Laws"),  including,  irrespective of inclusion or
exclusion from any of the aformentioned categories,  crude oil or any substances
derived  from  the  fractional   distillation  of  crude  oil,   polychlorinated
biphenyls, asbestos- containing material, radioactive materials, pesticides, and
any pharmaceutical  products that exhibit any characteristics  that would render
such  products a  regulated  hazardous  waste if a waste (all of the above being
collectively  referred  to herein  as  "Hazardous  Materials")  have been or are
stored,  treated,  disposed  of,  managed,  generated,  manufactured,  produced,
released (as defined in CERCLA Section  101(22)),  emitted or discharged on, to,
in, under or from the real  property  owned or leased by Seller  relating to the
Assets or the Business or disposed of at a location owned or operated by a third
party pursuant to an arrangement for disposal.

     (b) Except as set forth on Schedule  4.24,  Seller is in  compliance in all
material respects with all Environmental Laws and has obtained all environmental
licenses, permits,  approvals,  registrations and authorizations (federal, state
and local)  material to the Business.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.24, all
such licenses, permits, approvals,  registrations and authorizations will remain
in full force and effect as of the Closing and may be effectively transferred or
assigned to Buyer on or after the Closing Date without  materially and adversely
affecting  the  operation of Buyer's  business or the  operation by Buyer of the
Business after the Closing. 
<PAGE>
     (c)  Except as set forth on  Schedule  4.24,  no  governmental  or  private
action,   suit  or  proceeding  to  enforce  or  impose   liability   under  any
Environmental Laws is pending or, to the best of Seller's knowledge,  threatened
against Seller and, to the best of Seller's knowledge,  no Lien has been created
on any real  property  owned or leased by Seller  relating  to the Assets of the
Business, under any Environmental Laws.

     Section 4.25 Suppliers,  Distributors and Customers. Except as disclosed on
Schedule 4.25, no supplier, distributor, broker, customer or other person having
a business  relationship with the Business has cancelled or otherwise terminated
or to the knowledge of Seller,  threatened to cancel or otherwise  terminate its
relationship  with  Seller or has  during  the past  12-month  period  decreased
materially  (in  amount  or  dollar  volume)  or, to the  knowledge  of  Seller,
threatened to decrease materially, its services, supplies or materials to Seller
or its usage of the products or services now being produced or provided by or to
Seller.  Seller has no  knowledge  that any such  supplier,  distributor  and/or
broker or customer  intends to decrease  materially  its  services,  supplies or
materials to Seller or its usage of the products or services now being  produced
or provided by or to Seller.

     Section 4.26 Investments. Except as described on Schedule 4.26, Seller does
not own any capital stock,  partnership  interests or other equity  interests in
any   corporation,   partnership,   joint  venture,   trust  or  other  business
association.

     Section  4.27  Exclusive  Representations  and  Warranties.  Other than the
representations and warranties set forth herein,  Seller is not making any other
representation or warranty,  express or implied, with respect to the Business or
the Assets.

     Article  V.  REPRESENTATIONS  AND  WARRANTIES  OF  PARENT.   Parent  hereby
represents and warrants to Buyer and SPACEHAB as follows:

     Section 5.1 Parent's Organization, Good Standing, Capitalization. Parent is
a corporation  duly organized,  validly  existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware.  Parent has all requisite  power and authority to
carry on its business as it is now being conducted,  and is duly qualified to do
business as a foreign  entity and is in good  standing in each  jurisdiction  in
which such  qualification  is necessary under applicable law with respect to the
Business,  except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a material
adverse  effect on the Assets,  the  Business,  the Assumed  Liabilities  or the
condition  (financial or otherwise),  the earnings or prospects of Seller, taken
as a whole (a "Material Adverse Effect").

     Section 5.2 Authority; Execution; Delivery; Ownership of Seller. Parent has
full power and authority to enter into this  Agreement,  including all Schedules
and Exhibits hereto,  and any other  agreements,  instruments,  certificates and
documents required or contemplated hereby or thereby to be executed or delivered
by it, and to sell the  Assets and the  Business  in  accordance  with the terms
hereof so as to vest in Buyer on the Closing Date good and  marketable  title to
the Assets,  free and clear of any Liens, except Permitted Liens. The execution,
delivery  and  performance  of this  Agreement  by  Parent  have  been  duly and
effectively  authorized  by all  necessary  corporate  or  other  organizational
action.  No other corporate or other  organizational  proceedings on the part of
Parent  are  necessary  to  authorize  this   Agreement  and  the   transactions
contemplated  hereby.  This  Agreement  has been duly  executed and delivered by
Parent and  constitutes  the legal,  valid and  binding  obligations  of Parent,
enforceable  against Parent in accordance with their respective terms, except as
enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy,  insolvency,  or other similar
laws affecting the enforcement of creditors  rights in general,  moratorium laws
or by general  principles  of equity.  The Parent owns all of the  securities of
Seller.

     Section  5.3  Consents;  No  Violation,  Etc.  (a) Except as  reflected  in
Schedule 5.3(a),  no authorization,  consent,  approval,  license,  exemption by
filing  or   registration   with  any   court,   arbitrator   or   governmental,
administrative  or  self-regulatory  authority,  is  or  will  be  necessary  in
connection  with the entry into,  execution,  delivery and  performance  of this
Agreement  or any of the  documents  relating to the  transactions  contemplated
hereunder by Parent,  or for the consummation of the  transactions  contemplated
hereby and thereby.

     (b) Except as set forth on Schedule  5.3(b)  hereto,  neither the execution
and delivery of this Agreement,  the other agreements  contemplated  hereby, the
consummation of the transactions  contemplated herein or therein, nor compliance
by Parent with any of the provisions hereof or thereof will (with or without the
giving of notice or the passage of time) (i) violate, conflict with, result in a
breach of,  constitute  a default  under,  or result in the creation of any Lien
upon the Assets,  under any of the terms,  conditions  or  provisions of (A) any
resolution  adopted by the Board of Directors  of Parent or (B) any note,  bond,
mortgage,  indenture,  deed of trust,  or any license,  agreement,  or any other
instrument or  obligation to which Parent is a party,  or by which Parent may be
bound or affected or (ii) violate any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree,
statute,  law,  rule or  regulation  applicable  to Parent,  except in each case
insofar  as  any  such  violation,   conflict,  breach,  default,  acceleration,
termination,  cancellation,  creation  of Lien,  failure to obtain any  consent,
approval,  permission or other authorization,  qualification or filing would not
have with respect to clauses (i)(B) and (ii) a Material Adverse Effect.

     Section 5.4 No Other Agreements to Sell the Assets or the Business.  Parent
has no legal obligation,  absolute or contingent, to any other person or firm to
sell the Assets or the Business,  to issue or sell any  partnership  interest or
any security  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for a partnership  interest of
Seller, or to effect any merger, consolidation or other reorganization, directly
or  indirectly,  of Seller or to enter into any  agreement  with  respect to the
foregoing.
<PAGE>

     Section 5.5 Employee  Benefit  Plans.  Buyer will have no liability for the
following items (i) through (iv),  regardless of whether the events contemplated
by this  Agreement  (either  alone or together with any other event) (i) entitle
any current or former Personnel to severance pay, unemployment compensation,  or
other similar  payments under any Employee Plan or law, (ii) accelerate the time
of payment or vesting or increase  the amount of benefits due under any Employee
Plan or  compensation  to any current or former  Personnel,  (iii) result in any
payments (including  parachute payments) under any Employee Plan or law becoming
due to any current or former  Personnel,  or (iv)  terminate or modify or give a
third  party a right to  terminate  or  modify  the  provisions  or terms of any
Employee Plan.

     Article VI. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER AND SPACEHAB. Buyer and
SPACEHAB hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to Seller and Parent
as follows:

     Section 6.1 Buyer's Organization and Good Standing.  SPACEHAB and Buyer are
corporations  duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good standing under the
laws of the States of Washington  and Delaware,  respectively,  and each has all
requisite corporate power to carry on its business as it is now being conducted.

     Section 6.2 Authority;  Execution and Delivery.  Each of SPACEHAB and Buyer
has full  corporate  power and  authority  to enter into this  Agreement  and to
purchase  the  Assets,  in  accordance  with the terms  hereof.  The  execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated
hereby by Buyer and SPACEHAB,  have been duly and effectively  authorized by the
Board of Directors of Buyer and SPACEHAB.  No other corporate proceedings on the
part of Buyer and SPACEHAB are  necessary to authorize  this  Agreement  and the
transactions  contemplated  herein  or  therein.  This  Agreement  has been duly
executed and  delivered by Buyer and  SPACEHAB  and  constitutes  (and the other
agreements  when  duly  executed  and  delivered  or  contemplated  hereby  will
constitute) the legal,  valid and binding  obligations of Buyer or SPACEHAB,  as
the case may be,  enforceable  against them, in accordance with their respective
terms, except as enforcement  thereof may be limited by bankruptcy,  insolvency,
or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights in general,
moratorium laws or by general principles of equity.

     Section 6.3 No Brokers.  Neither  Buyer nor  SPACEHAB  has entered into and
neither will enter into any  agreement,  arrangement or  understanding  with any
person or firm which will  result in the  obligation  of Seller or Parent to pay
any finder's fee, brokerage commission or similar payment in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby.

     Section 6.4 Consents, No Conflicts, Etc. Neither the execution and delivery
of this Agreement,  the  consummation  by Buyer or SPACEHAB of the  transactions
contemplated  herein  nor  compliance  by  Buyer  or  SPACEHAB  with  any of the
provisions  hereof  will (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of
time)  (i)  violate  or  conflict  with  any  provision  of the  certificate  of
incorporation  or  by-laws  or  similar  organizational  documents  of  Buyer or
SPACEHAB,  (ii) violate any order, writ,  injunction,  decree,  statute, rule or
regulation  applicable to Buyer or SPACEHAB or any of their respective assets or
properties  or  (iii)  require  the  consent,  approval,   permission  or  other
authorization of or by or filing or qualification with any court,  arbitrator or
governmental, administrative, or self-regulatory authority.


               Article VII.  CERTAIN COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS.

     Section 7.1  Non-Competition.  (a) In  consideration of the benefits to the
Seller  and  Parent  hereunder  and in order to induce  Buyer to enter into this
Agreement,  Seller and Parent will not, for a period of seven (7) years from the
Closing  Date (the  "Non-Competition  Period"),  except as set forth in  Section
7.1(b)  hereof,  directly or  indirectly,  (i) engage or hold an interest in any
business  (whether by ownership of debt or equity)  providing  satellite payload
processing   facilities  and  related  services  to  commercial  customers  (the
"Proscribed  Business")  or, (ii) have any  interest in, own,  manage,  operate,
control, direct, be connected with as a stockholder (other than as a stockholder
of less  than  five  percent  (5%) of the  issued  and  outstanding  stock  of a
publicly-held corporation),  joint venturer, partner or consultant, or otherwise
engage or invest or  participate  in, any  business  engaged  in the  Proscribed
Business,  within a  one-hundred  (100)  mile  radius of (A) the  Kennedy  Space
Center/Canaveral  Air Force  Station,  Florida,  (B)  Vandenberg Air Force Base,
California,  (C) NASA Wallops  Island,  Virginia or (D) Long Beach,  California,
(iii) hire any person employed or otherwise retained by, or solicit or encourage
any person to leave the employ of,  Buyer or SPACEHAB  (including  employees  of
Seller  working in the  Business as of the date of this  Agreement  or as of the
Closing  Date),  except as agreed to in writing by  SPACEHAB,  or (iv) deal in a
competitive manner in the Proscribed Business vis-a-vis customers doing business
with the Business at any time during the Non-Competition Period.
<PAGE>

     (b) Notwithstanding  Section 7.1(a), if during the  Non-Competition  Period
Parent  shall  acquire,  directly or  indirectly,  any interest in any entity or
business engaged,  in whole or in part, in the Proscribed  Business then, within
one-hundred  twenty (120) days of the  consummation of such  acquisition  Parent
shall  provide Buyer with the right to purchase  such  Proscribed  Business at a
price and on terms and conditions set by Parent.  If the right of first offer is
declined,  then Parent shall within  three-hundred  sixty-five (365) days of the
consummation of such acquisition divest itself of the Proscribed  Business,  and
in connection therewith,  Parent shall offer Buyer the right of first refusal to
match any proposed  offer with  respect to the sale by Parent of the  Proscribed
Business.

     Section 7.2 Non-Disclosure.  Seller will not at any time from and after the
date of this  Agreement  divulge,  furnish  or make  accessible  to  anyone  any
knowledge or  information  with  respect to  Intellectual  Properties,  or other
confidential  or  secret  aspects  of the  Business  or any  financial  or other
information  about  Seller.  Any  information,  which at or prior to the time of
disclosure  was  generally  available  to the  public  through no breach of this
covenant,  shall not be deemed confidential information for purposes hereof, and
the undertakings in this covenant with respect to confidential information shall
not apply thereto.

     Section 7.3 Further Assurances.  From and after the Closing Date, from time
to time,  at Buyer's  request and  without  further  consideration,  Seller will
execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered such other instruments
and take such other  actions as Buyer or its counsel may  reasonably  request to
more  effectively  convey,  transfer  to and vest in Buyer,  and to put Buyer in
possession  and  operating  control  of all or any  part  of the  Assets  or the
Business.

     Section  7.4 Access to  Facilities;  Due  Diligence.  (a)  Between the date
hereof  and the  Closing  Date,  (i)  authorized  representatives  of Buyer  and
SPACEHAB  shall  have  reasonable  access  to all  properties,  books,  Records,
Contracts and other  documents of Seller  relating to the Business,  (ii) Seller
will furnish to Buyer all  information  with respect to the Business  that Buyer
may  reasonably  request,  and (iii) Buyer and SPACEHAB  shall have the right to
discuss the Business of Seller with the  employees,  suppliers  and customers of
Seller;  provided,  however,  that  Buyer and  SPACEHAB  shall not  contact  any
employees,  suppliers or customers of Seller  unless Buyer and SPACEHAB  receive
the prior  authorization  of  Seller or  Parent,  which  authority  shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed.

     (b) Parent shall,  and shall cause Seller to, cooperate fully with SPACEHAB
and Buyer in the conduct of the  environmental  due diligence,  audit or similar
review  contemplated by Section 8.17(b) hereof.  Without limiting the generality
of the  foregoing,  Parent  shall,  and shall cause Seller to, (i) give full and
complete access to SPACEHAB,  Buyer and  representatives  of each, during normal
business hours and upon reasonable  notice, to any and all Personal Property and
Real Property used in the Business and (ii) provide such assistance as SPACEHAB,
Buyer or such  representatives  reasonably  request in connection  with such due
diligence,   audit  or  similar  review.  Buyer  and  SPACEHAB  shall  each  use
commercially reasonable efforts to minimize, to the greatest extent practicable,
any  interruption  to the conduct of the  Business in  connection  with such due
diligence, audit or similar review.

     Section 7.5 Conduct of the Business.  Seller shall, from the date hereof up
to and including the Closing Date,  conduct the Business to be conducted only in
the ordinary course, consistent with past practice, and will not do, or cause to
be done,  anything which is  represented  and warranted not to have been done in
this Agreement,  except as otherwise expressly contemplated hereby. In addition,
Seller  will,  from and after the date  hereof up to and  including  the Closing
Date, cause the Business to: (a) maintain in full force and effect the insurance
policies set forth on Schedule  4.14 (or policies  providing  substantially  the
same coverage,  copies of which will be made available to Buyer);  (b) take such
action as may  reasonably  be necessary  to preserve the assets and  properties,
wherever located, which are material to the Business; (c) maintain its books and
records  in  accordance  with  sound  accounting  principles  and in the  manner
consistent  with past  practices  and  promptly  advise  Buyer in writing of any
material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the assets,
liabilities,  earnings,  business or prospects of the Business; (d) maintain the
Assets in the same state of repair,  order and  condition as on the date hereof,
reasonable wear and tear or loss by insured or self-insured  casualty  excepted;
(e)  maintain in full force and effect all  Licenses and perform in all material
respects  all  obligations  under any  Contracts;  (f) not permit (to the extent
within  the  control of the  Seller)  to occur any of the events or  occurrences
described  in  Section  4.7  (Absence  of  Certain  Changes  or  Events) of this
Agreement;   or  (g)  not  take  any  action  that  would  prevent  Seller  from
consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     Section 7.6 Changes in Representations and Warranties.  Between the date of
this  Agreement  and the Closing  Date,  Seller  shall not, and Seller shall not
permit the  Business  to,  enter into any  transaction,  take any action,  or by
inaction  permit  an  event  to  occur,   which  would  result  in  any  of  the
representations  and  warranties of Seller  herein  contained not being true and
correct at and as of (a) the time  immediately  following the occurrence of such
transaction or event or (b) the Closing Date. Seller shall promptly give written
notice to Buyer upon becoming aware of (i) any fact which,  if known on the date
hereof,  would have been required to be set forth or disclosed  pursuant to this
Agreement and (ii) any impending or threatened breach in any material respect of
any of the representations  and warranties  contained in this Agreement and with
respect to the latter shall use all  reasonable  efforts to remedy same.  To the
extent that any  information  required  to be  disclosed  by Seller  pursuant to

<PAGE>

clause  (i) or (ii)  of this  Section  7.6  causes  any  schedule  hereto  to be
inaccurate or incomplete, Seller shall in each case promptly supplement or amend
the  relevant  portion  of the  applicable  schedule  hereto  and  provide  such
supplemented or amended schedule to Buyer; provided,  however, that such amended
or  supplemented  schedule  shall not be taken  into  account  for  purposes  of
determining compliance with Section 8.1 hereof.

     Section 7.7 Mutual Cooperation. The parties hereto will cooperate with each
other,  and will use all  reasonable  efforts  to cause the  fulfillment  of the
conditions  to the parties'  obligations  hereunder and to obtain as promptly as
possible all consents,  authorizations,  orders or approvals from each and every
third party,  whether private or  governmental,  required in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  Seller and Parent agree to provide
any necessary  services and support that may be required to operate the Business
in the  ordinary  course,  due to a failure to obtain at or prior to Closing any
necessary  Permits or consents.  Any such services and support shall be provided
at Seller's or Parent's cost  (including  reasonable  and customary  general and
administrative  and  overhead  expenses)  and for a period not to exceed six (6)
months from the Closing Date.  For services  rendered  pursuant to this Section,
(i) Seller or Parent,  as the case may be,  shall  provide  Buyer with a written
statement  covering each  applicable  30-day period  following the Closing Date,
indicating  in  detail  the  nature  of the  services  provided  and  the  costs
associated  therewith and (ii) Buyer shall pay to Seller or Parent,  as the case
may be, the  specified  amount  within  fifteen  (15) days after  receipt of the
statement by Buyer (less any  disputed  amount which Buyer and Seller or Parent,
as the case may be, shall diligently cooperate to resolve as soon as possible).

     Section 7.8 No Mergers,  Consolidations,  Sales of Assets,  Etc.  Until the
termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article XIX hereof, neither Seller nor
Parent shall, or shall authorize or permit any officer, director or employee of,
or any investment banker, attorney,  accountant or other representative retained
by,  Seller  or  Parent  to,  (i)  solicit  or  encourage  (including  by way of
furnishing  non-public  information) any inquiries or the making of any proposal
which  constitutes,  or may  reasonably  be  expected  to lead  to,  any  "other
acquisition" or (ii) engage in any discussions or negotiations or enter into any
agreement with respect to any other  acquisition.  Seller shall promptly  advise
Buyer orally and in writing of any such inquiries or proposals.  As used in this
paragraph,   "other  acquisition"  shall  mean  any  transaction  involving  the
acquisition  by a Person other than Buyer in any manner of all or  substantially
all of the Assets or the Business of Seller.

     Section  7.9 Access to Books and  Records;  Cooperation.  (a) Seller  shall
afford to Buyer and Buyer's  auditing staff,  accountants  and other  authorized
representatives and Buyer shall afford to Seller and such representatives,  upon
reasonable  notice,  full access to the books and records of the Business not in
Buyer's or Seller's, as the case may be, possession pertaining to the Business's
operations  prior to the Closing  Date for a period of six years  following  the
Closing Date in connection with tax and accounting  matters and other reasonable
business  purposes;  provided,  that Seller  shall not be entitled to any books,
records or other information deemed by Buyer to be confidential or competitively
sensitive.  It is  specifically  understood  that  Buyer  may wish to audit  the
financial  statements  of the Business for periods prior to the Closing and that
Buyer shall be entitled access to Seller's auditor's work papers relating to the
Business  for such  periods.  Seller  shall give Buyer  thirty (30) days' notice
prior to discarding or destroying any books,  records or other  documents of the
Business and, if so requested by Buyer, Seller shall deliver such books, records
or other documents to Buyer.  Buyer shall reimburse Seller for all out-of-pocket
costs incurred in complying with this Section 7.9 other than with respect to the
storage of records.

     (b) Following the Closing the parties  shall  cooperate  with each other to
the extent  reasonably  necessary in the preparation,  filing and audits of each
parties'  income  Tax  Returns as they  relate to the  Business.  In  connection
therewith, each party shall, at the other's expense, make available to the other
such  personnel  as shall be  reasonably  requested  (so as not to  unreasonably
interfere  with any party's  business) to aid in the  preparation  and audits of
such Tax Returns.

     Section 7.10 Consents.  Seller shall,  except as otherwise provided herein,
obtain,  prior to the Closing Date,  all  consents,  waivers or approvals to the
transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement or that may be required under any
law or under any of the  Contracts,  Real  Property  Leases,  Future  Contracts,
Permits, Claims,  Intellectual Property or other Assets being sold, assigned to,
or assumed by Buyer under this  Agreement.  Buyer shall  provide all  reasonable
assistance to Seller in the processing of such consents,  waivers and approvals.
To the extent required consents,  waivers or approvals are not obtained prior to
Closing  with  respect to the  transfer  of any such items and Buyer  shall have
waived such condition at Closing, then until such consents, waivers or approvals
are obtained,  Buyer shall obtain the benefits and assume the  obligations  with
respect  to  such  items  in  accordance   with  this  Agreement  by  acting  as
subcontractor,  sublicensee  or sublessee of Seller and Seller shall enforce for
the  benefit  of Buyer any and all rights of Seller  against a third  party with
respect  to any such items and Seller  shall  promptly  pay to Buyer any and all
monies  received by Seller in connection  with any such Contract,  Real Property
Lease,  Future Contract,  Permit,  Claim, or other Asset, and after the Closing,
Seller  shall  continue to use its best  efforts to obtain a consent,  waiver or
approval with respect to each of such items as may be required.  In addition, in
the  event  that  any  Contract  or  other   understanding   which   contains  a
non-competition  or non- disclosure  provision in favor of the Business  entered
into  between  Seller and any third  party shall not be  assignable  to Buyer at
Closing, Seller hereby covenants and agrees to enforce at Buyer's request and in
accordance with Buyer's instructions and at Buyer's expense, the non-competition
or non-disclosure provisions of such Contract or understanding.
<PAGE>

     Section 7.11  Hart-Scott-Rodino  Act. Prior to the date of this  Agreement,
Buyer and Seller have made their respective filings under the  Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust  Improvements  Act of 1976  (the  "H-S-R  Act")  with  respect  to the
transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  and shall make any other required
submissions in connection therewith.

     Section 7.12 Collection of  Receivables.  After the Closing Date, all cash,
checks  or  other  proceeds  received  by  Seller  or any of its  banks or other
financial  institutions  that  relate  to  the  accounts  receivable  of  Seller
purchased  by Buyer shall be paid to Buyer within ten (10)  business  days after
receipt  by  Seller,   which  payments  shall  be  accompanied  by  a  statement
identifying the payee, the amount of the payment and the related invoice number.
Seller shall give Buyer access to any and all lockboxes of Seller where payments
for accounts receivable are remitted, if any. Seller shall instruct its banks to
remit to Buyer all amounts received by such banks with respect to such accounts.
Seller  agrees to endorse  and Buyer shall have the right to endorse the name of
Seller on any such checks or  proceeds  (whether  received  directly by Buyer or
received  from  Seller  or its bank) and shall  deposit  such  checks  and other
proceeds in bank accounts maintained in Buyer's name. From and after the Closing
Date, Seller shall cooperate with, and provide  reasonable  assistance to, Buyer
at Buyer's expense in collecting such accounts.

     Section 7.13 Assignment of  Receivables.  If any Account  Receivable  sold,
transferred or assigned by Seller to Buyer under this Agreement is not collected
by Buyer  within  sixty  (60) days after the  Closing  Date,  Buyer may,  at its
option,  assign such Account Receivable to Seller, and Seller shall pay Buyer an
amount in cash equal to the  account  receivable  so assigned  within  three (3)
business  days  after  assignment  by Buyer.  Buyer  shall  employ  commercially
reasonable  standards in collecting the Accounts Receivable prior to assignment,
except that Buyer shall not be obligated to institute any legal  proceedings for
collection. Any Account Receivable assigned to Seller by Buyer after such 60-day
period  shall not be  considered  a breach  of any  representation  or  warranty
hereunder;  provided,  however, that Buyer shall accompany the assignment of the
uncollected  Account  Receivable with a certificate of a responsible  officer of
Buyer  certifying that Buyer did not take any unreasonable act or fail to act in
a reasonable manner such that Seller's ability to recover the Account Receivable
would be  impaired.  If Buyer does not  provide  such  certification  or if such
certificate  is  inaccurate,  Seller  shall  not  be  required  to  accept  such
assignment  or pay Buyer  therefore  and Buyer shall not have any right to claim
indemnification with respect to such Account Receivable.

     Section  7.14  Personnel.  (a)  Subject to Closing,  Buyer  agrees to offer
employment  to only  such  Personnel  of  Seller  who are  identified  on a list
provided  to Seller at least ten (10) days  before  Closing  and who are  active
employees as of the Closing  Date (i.e.,  those who are not absent on account of
injury  sustained  in the  course  of  employment  or  short-term  or  long-term
disability);  provided,  that all  offers  of  employment  shall be on terms and
conditions  determined  in the sole  discretion  of Buyer.  Each such  member of
Personnel who accepts  Buyer's offer of  employment  shall,  effective as of the
Closing Date,  cease to be an employee of Seller and become an employee of Buyer
(collectively, referred to as "Transferred Personnel"). Nothing herein obligates
Buyer to provide continued employment to any member of Transferred Personnel for
any specific  period of time  thereafter.  On and after the Closing Date,  Buyer
shall be the sole judge of terms of the number,  identity and  qualifications of
employees necessary for conduct of the Business.

     (b) Buyer shall not be obligated to adopt,  with respect to any Transferred
Personnel,  any Employee  Plans nor any benefit plans that are comparable to the
Employee Plans. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary,
nothing  herein shall (i) restrict  Buyer's right to determine its benefit plans
in the future (including,  without  limitation,  the right to amend or terminate
any  plan),  or (ii)  obligate  Buyer  to  assume  any  liability  for  benefits
(including  but not  limited  to  worker's  compensation)  in  respect of claims
incurred or benefits accrued on or before the Closing Date.

     Section 7.15 Change of Name.  On the Closing  Date,  Seller and Parent will
discontinue any business  operations under, and any use of, the names "Astrotech
Space Operations, L.P.," "Astrotech Space Operations, Incorporated" or any name,
including the word  "Astrotech"  or any  variation  thereof  (collectively,  the
"Restricted  Names"). In that connection,  on the Closing Date Seller and Parent
will execute  amendments to the certificate of limited  partnership of Astrotech
Space  Operations,  L.P. and the certificate of incorporation of Astrotech Space
Operations, Incorporated,  respectively, in order to change their names to names
that  do not  include  the  word  "Astrotech"  and  file  such  amendments  with
appropriate  state  authorities  within two (2)  business  days of the  Closing.
Seller and Parent  agree that they will not  conduct any  business  post-Closing
under any Restricted Name or any variation  thereof or derivative  thereof other
than such  business as is in  furtherance  of the terms and  provisions  of this
Agreement and as is for the benefit of, and at the express  written  request and
expense of, Buyer.

     Section 7.16 Novation of Contracts;  Third Party  Consents.  (a) As soon as
practicable  following  execution of this  Agreement,  Buyer shall prepare (with
Seller's assistance),  a written request,  which shall be submitted by Seller to
each  contracting  party for the  Contracts  set forth on Schedule  4.19, to (i)
recognize Buyer as Seller's successor in interest to all the Assets constituting
Contracts;  and (ii) to enter  into a  novation  agreement  (each,  a  "Novation
Agreement" and  collectively,  the "Novation  Agreements") in form and substance
reasonably  satisfactory  to Buyer  and  Seller  and their  respective  counsel,
pursuant to which,  all of Sellers right,  title and interest in and to, and all
of Seller's obligations and liabilities under, each such contract shall be
<PAGE>

validly  conveyed,  transferred  and  assigned  and novated to Buyer by all
parties  thereto.  Buyer  shall  provide  to  Seller  promptly  any  information
regarding Buyer required in connection with such request. Seller and Buyer shall
each use all  reasonable  efforts to obtain all consents,  approvals and waivers
required  for the  purpose  of  processing,  entering  into and  completing  the
Novation Agreements with regard to any of the contracts.

     (b) In connection with obtaining the consents  contemplated by this Section
7.16,  Seller shall not consent to any modification of any Contract  included in
the Assets which would adversely  affect the rights of Buyer under such Contract
without the prior written consent of Buyer.

     Section  7.17  Performance  of  Obligations.  Each of  Buyer  and  SPACEHAB
covenant and agree with Seller that all terms,  covenants and  conditions of all
contracts,  agreements and  undertakings  set forth on Schedule 4.19 hereto that
Buyer  will  acquire  from  Seller  in the  transactions  contemplated  by  this
Agreement will be performed as written,  in a complete,  timely and  workmanlike
manner, except to the extent any such matter is being contested in good faith by
Buyer or SPACEHAB and except for such terms,  covenants and conditions that have
been modified by mutual consent of the contracting  parties,  including Buyer as
successor to Seller.

     Section 7.18  Capital  Expenditures.  Except as set forth on Schedule  7.18
hereto,  from the date of this Agreement until the Closing Date, Seller will not
incur any capital expenditure or any liability therefor requiring any payment or
payments in excess of $10,000  individually or $250,000 in the aggregate without
the prior written consent of Buyer.

     Section 7.19 Government Clearances.

     (a) As soon as practicable  following  execution of this Agreement,  Seller
shall prepare and provide to Buyer, which shall be set forth in Schedule 7.19, a
description  of all  existing  government  clearances  issued  to  Seller or its
Transferred  Personnel  under,  in  connection  with,  or  relating  to Seller's
Contracts,  Business,  Assets, Real Property, or Real Property Leases, including
but not limited to all  facilities  clearances  and personnel  clearances in the
name of Seller or the Transferred Personnel.

     (b) Seller shall  provide to Buyer  promptly any  information  requested by
Buyer  relating to or involving  the  information  described  on Schedule  7.19.
Seller shall promptly provide such cooperation and assistance, and shall execute
such documents and consents as Buyer shall reasonably  request, to assist in the
transfer or  assignment of the  clearances  described on Schedule 7.19 to Seller
and/or  the  application  for  issuance  of  new  clearances  to  Buyer  or  the
Transferred  Personnel in connection  with this  Agreement as may be required or
requested by applicable governmental authorities or may be needed to operate the
Business as currently operated.

     (c) If, as of the Closing  Date,  Buyer has not received  from  appropriate
governmental authorities all requisite government clearances, including facility
clearances  and  personnel  clearances,  necessary  to operate  the  Business as
currently  operated,  Seller  shall take all  necessary  actions to  continue to
maintain in good standing all such clearances after Closing as Buyer may request
until such time as Buyer has received in its own name all  requisite  clearances
necessary  to operate  the  Business as  currently  operated,  and Seller  shall
provide such  personnel  and  assistance as Buyer may  reasonably  request after
Closing to assist Buyer in obtaining such  clearances  until all such clearances
are  received  by Buyer.  Any such  services  and  support  shall be provided at
Seller's  or Parent's  cost  (including  reasonable  and  customary  general and
administrative  and  overhead  expenses)  and for a period not to exceed six (6)
months from the Closing Date.  For services  rendered  pursuant to this Section,
(i) Seller or Parent,  as the case may be,  shall  provide  Buyer with a written
statement  covering each  applicable  30-day period  following the Closing Date,
indicating  in  detail  the  nature  of the  services  provided  and  the  costs
associated  therewith and (ii) Buyer shall pay to Seller or Parent,  as the case
may be, the  specified  amount  within  fifteen  (15) days after  receipt of the
statement by Buyer (less any  disputed  amount which Buyer and Seller or Parent,
as the case may be, shall diligently cooperate to resolve as soon as possible).

     Article  VIII.  CONDITIONS  TO  OBLIGATIONS  OF  BUYER  AND  SPACEHAB.  The
obligations of Buyer and SPACEHAB to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement shall be subject to the  fulfillment,  or the waiver by Buyer and
SPACEHAB, on or prior to the Closing Date, of the following conditions:

     Section 8.1  Representations  and Warranties  True at the Closing Date. The
representations  and warranties of Seller and Parent contained in this Agreement
or in any other document  delivered by Seller pursuant hereto shall be deemed to
have been made on and as of the Closing  Date and shall then be true and correct
in all material respects (except those  representations  and warranties that are
qualified by materiality and those  representations  and warranties set forth in
Sections 4.18(a) and (c), which shall be true and correct in all respects),  and
on the Closing Date Seller and Parent shall have delivered to Buyer and SPACEHAB
an officer's certificate to such effect.
<PAGE>

     Section 8.2 Seller's and Parent's  Performance.  Each of the obligations of
Seller and Parent to be performed on or before the Closing Date, pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement, shall have been duly performed by the Closing Date, and
on the Closing Date Seller and Parent shall have delivered to Buyer and SPACEHAB
an officer's certificate to such effect.

     Section 8.3 Instruments of Conveyance and Transfer; Title Insurance. At the
Closing,  Seller  shall  have  delivered  to Buyer  such  deeds,  bills of sale,
endorsements,   assignments,  and  other  good  and  sufficient  instruments  of
conveyance and transfer (including,  without limitation,  recordable assignments
of any  Intellectual  Properties  in  recordable  form),  in form and  substance
reasonably  satisfactory  to Buyer and its counsel,  as are effective to vest in
Buyer,  as  applicable,  good and  marketable  and,  in the  case of owned  real
property,  fee simple,  title to the Assets free and clear of any Liens,  except
for Permitted  Liens.  Simultaneously  with such delivery,  Seller shall take or
cause to be taken all such other steps as are reasonably  required  hereunder to
put Buyer in actual  possession  and  operating  control of the Assets.  Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing,  conveyance of the real property shall
be made by bargain and sale deeds with covenants  against grantor's acts (or the
equivalent  instruments in the jurisdiction where such real property is located)
(the "Deeds"). Buyer, with full cooperation of Seller, shall take such action to
cause such Deeds to be accompanied by (i) paid title insurance  policies in such
amount as Buyer  shall  determine,  obtained  at  Buyer's  expense,  issued by a
reputable  title  insurance  company  or  companies,  to be  selected  by Buyer,
insuring  fee simple  title of the owned real  property in the name of Buyer and
containing no exceptions to coverage other than those  Permitted Liens specified
on Schedule 4.11(a) hereto and a survey reading  reflecting the matters shown on
the  survey(s)  hereinafter  referred  to;  provided,  that such  matters do not
materially  detract  from the value or  materially  interfere  with the  present
occupancy or use of any of the  properties  and (ii) a current survey or surveys
of the real property and existing improvements  certified to Buyer and the title
insurance  company,  obtained  at Buyer's  expense,  issued by a duly  certified
surveyor,  acceptable  (such that no general survey  exception will be taken) to
the title insurance  company issuing the title insurance  policies.  The matters
contemplated by the foregoing  sentence are a condition to Buyer's obligation to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

     Section 8.4 Certain Tax and Real Estate  Transfer  Forms.  At the  Closing,
Seller  shall have  delivered to Buyer an affidavit  stating,  under  penalty of
perjury,  that it is not a foreign person pursuant to Section  1445(b)(2) of the
Code.  Seller shall have completed or filed,  as the case may be, all reports or
returns  required  to be filed at or prior to  Closing  in  connection  with the
transfer of fee and leasehold interests in real property.

     Section 8.5 Opinion of Seller's and Parent's Counsel. There shall have been
delivered to Buyer and SPACEHAB an opinion, dated the Closing Date and addressed
to Buyer and  SPACEHAB,  of John  Mullan,  Esq.,  counsel to Seller and  Parent,
substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto.

     Section 8.6 Approvals and Consents. Except for those approvals and consents
that by their terms  cannot be  obtained  prior to  Closing,  Seller  shall have
obtained and shall have delivered to Buyer all requisite  approvals and consents
necessary to operate the Business as currently  operated  from  governmental  or
regulatory bodies or agencies, whether federal, state, local or foreign, and all
third-party  consents and approvals and valid  sublicenses  as  contemplated  by
Section  7.10 and  Section  7.16 above  pursuant to all  Intellectual  Property,
Contracts,  Real Property  Leases or Permits  required  pursuant to the terms of
such   instruments  or  necessary  for  the  performance  of  their   respective
obligations hereunder.

     Section 8.7  Material  Adverse  Change.  There shall not have  occurred any
damage or  destruction  of, or loss to, any of the Assets of Seller,  whether or
not  covered  by  insurance,  which  has had or is  reasonably  likely to have a
Material  Adverse  Effect,  nor shall  there have  occurred  any other  event or
condition  which  has had or is  reasonably  likely to have a  Material  Adverse
Effect, including, without limitation, any change in applicable federal or state
laws, regulations or practices which would have a Material Adverse Effect.

     Section 8.8 Litigation.  No claim,  action,  suit,  investigation  or other
proceeding  shall be pending or  threatened  by any third party  (including  any
governmental  agency) before any court or administrative  agency  challenging or
otherwise  relating to the transactions  provided for herein or which may affect
Buyer, SPACEHAB, Seller, or Parent in a manner which is materially adverse.

     Section 8.9 No Change in Law. There shall not have been any action taken or
any statute enacted by any governmental authority which would render the parties
unable  to  consummate  the  transactions   contemplated   herein  or  make  the
transactions contemplated herein illegal or prohibit,  restrict or substantially
delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein.

     Section 8.10 Hart-Scott  Rodino-Act.  All applicable  waiting periods under
the H-S- R Act shall have expired or been  terminated,  and no action shall have
been taken or formal  protest made by the United  States  Department of Justice,
the Federal Trade Commission or any  governmental  authority or any other person
or entity to prohibit the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement by reason
of a claimed violation of any antitrust laws. Without limiting the foregoing, no
obligation  arising  out of the H-S-R Act shall  have been  imposed  on Buyer to
divest  any  material  portion  of its  business  by reason  of the  transaction
contemplated by this Agreement.

<PAGE>

     Section  8.11  Authorization   Documents.   Buyer  shall  have  received  a
certificate  of the General  Partner or other person duly  authorized  by Seller
certifying a copy of resolutions  authorizing the execution and full performance
of this Agreement and the other documents to which Seller is a party.

     Section 8.12  Documents.  Seller and Parent shall have furnished Buyer with
all other documents,  certificates and other instruments  reasonably required to
be furnished to Buyer pursuant to the terms hereof.

     Section 8.13 Release of UCCs.  Any recorded UCC financing  statements  with
respect to any Liens,  other than Permitted  Liens shall have been terminated as
of record,  and Seller shall have delivered to Buyer executed UCC-3  termination
statements satisfactory to record such terminations.

     Section 8.14  Additional  Closing  Documents  of Seller and Parent.  On the
Closing Date,  Buyer shall have received (i) a blanket  assignment by Seller for
Buyer to use the  names  "Astrotech,"  "Astrotech  Space  Operations,  L.P." and
"Astrotech Space  Operations,  Incorporated"  and individual  assignments to use
such names valid for each state in which Seller currently conducts its Business,
in connection  with the conduct of the Business from and after the Closing Date;
and (ii) a good standing certificate,  certificate of existence (or subsistence)
or certificate of valid  qualification as a foreign entity,  as the case may be,
from the state of Seller's  organization and each state in which Seller conducts
its businesses.

     Section 8.15 Delivery of Financial Statements. At the Closing, Seller shall
(at Seller's sole cost and expense) have delivered, or caused to be delivered to
Buyer,  the financial  statements of Seller on a  consolidated  basis for fiscal
years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, prepared in accordance with GAAP.

     Section 8.16 Environmental Review. Buyer (a) shall have been furnished with
true and correct  copies of all materials  prepared by or on behalf of Seller or
Parent relating to any environmental  due diligence,  audit or similar review of
the Assets or the Business  and (b) shall be  satisfied  in its sole  discretion
with the results of any environmental due diligence,  audit or similar review of
the Assets or the Business conducted by or on behalf of Buyer.

     Section 8.17 LMCLS  Agreement.  Seller shall have obtained and delivered to
Buyer a true and correct  copy of the  executed  written  agreement  of Lockheed
Martin Commercial Launch Services (the "LMCLS Agreement"), which agreement shall
provide for the use of the Business'  facilities and services by Lockheed Martin
Commercial  Launch  Services on an exclusive  basis for a contract term of three
(3)  years at a  processing  fee of  $625,000  per  payload,  subject  to annual
escalation of three and one-half percent (3-1/2%), and no other material changes
shall  have  occurred  in the  LMCLS  Agreement  in  effect  on the date of this
Agreement.


     Article IX. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF SELLER AND PARENT.  The obligation
of Seller and Parent to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
subject to the fulfillment,  or the waiver by Seller and the Parent, on or prior
to the Closing Date, of the following conditions:

     Section 9.1  Representations  and Warranties  True at the Closing Date. The
representations and warranties of Buyer and SPACEHAB contained in this Agreement
or in any other document delivered by Buyer or SPACEHAB pursuant hereto shall be
deemed to have been made at and as of the  Closing  Date and shall  then be true
and  correct  in  all  material  respects  (except  those   representations  and
warranties that are qualified by materiality, which shall be true and correct in
all respects),  and on the Closing Date Buyer shall have delivered to Seller and
Parent an officer's certificate to such effect.

     Section 9.2 Buyer's  Performance.  Buyer shall, on the Closing Date, pay to
Seller the Purchase Price, in accordance with Section 2 above.

     Section 9.3 Opinion of Buyer's Counsel.  There shall have been delivered to
Seller and Parent an opinion, dated the Closing Date and addressed to Seller and
Parent  of  Buyer's  counsel,  Dewey  Ballantine,  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit C hereto.

     Section 9.4  Approvals  and  Consents.  Buyer shall have obtained and shall
have delivered to Seller all requisite  approvals and consents from governmental
or regulatory bodies or agencies, whether federal, state, local or foreign.

     Section 9.5 Litigation.  No claim,  action,  suit,  investigation  or other
proceeding  shall be pending or  threatened  by any third party  (including  any
governmental  agency) before any court or administrative  agency  challenging or
otherwise  relating to the transactions  provided for herein or which may affect
Buyer, SPACEHAB, Seller, or Parent in a manner which is materially adverse.

     Section 9.6 No Change in Law. There shall not have been any action taken or
any statute  enacted by any  governmental  authority  which would (i) render the
parties unable to consummate the transactions contemplated herein, (ii) make the
transactions  contemplated  herein  illegal  or  (iii)  prohibit,   restrict  or
substantially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein.
<PAGE>

     Section 9.7 Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. All applicable waiting periods under the
H-S- R Act shall have expired or been terminated,  and no action shall have been
taken or formal  protest made by the United States  Department  of Justice,  the
Federal Trade Commission or any other governmental authority or any other person
or entity to prohibit the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement by reason
of a claimed violation of any antitrust laws.

     Section 9.8 Documents.  Buyer shall have  furnished  Seller and Parent with
all documents,  certificates  and other  instruments  reasonably  required to be
furnished to any of them by Buyer pursuant to the terms hereof.


     Article X. NATURE AND SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES,  ETC. All
statements  contained  in  any  Exhibit,  Schedule  or  Annex  hereto  or in any
certificate or instrument of conveyance delivered by or on behalf of the parties
pursuant to this Agreement or in connection with the  transactions  contemplated
hereby shall be deemed representations and warranties by the parties hereunder.

     Section  10.1  Survival  of  Representations,  Warranties,  Etc.  Except as
otherwise  provided  herein,  the  representations  and warranties  contained in
Articles IV and V of this  Agreement  shall  survive the Closing for a period of
twenty-one (21) months after the Closing Date; provided,  however, that: (i) the
representations and warranties contained in Section 4.8 hereof shall survive the
Closing  Date  until  sixty  (60) days after the  expiration  of the  applicable
statutes of limitations for the assessment of Taxes; (ii) if any  representation
or warranty  contained in Articles IV, V or VI is  fraudulently  given, it shall
survive the Closing Date for an unlimited period of time; and (iii) any specific
claim or action of which  specific  written  notice is given to the party  which
made  such   representation  or  warranty  prior  to  the  date  on  which  such
representation or warranty otherwise terminates as provided herein, may continue
to be asserted and shall be indemnified against pursuant to this Article X.

     Section  10.2  Seller and Parent  Agreement  to  Indemnify.  (a) Seller and
Parent  jointly and severally  shall fully  indemnify,  defend and hold harmless
Buyer and SPACEHAB,  their respective officers,  directors,  employees,  agents,
representatives,  and affiliates and their successors and assigns against and in
respect of any and all liabilities, losses, damages, claims, penalties, actions,
fines,  deficiencies,  costs, taxes, loss of deductions or expenses  (including,
without limitation,  the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel)
(collectively,  "Losses")  regardless  of  whether  an action  has been filed or
asserted  against  Buyer or SPACEHAB  after the Closing  Date,  arising from, in
connection  with or  resulting  from (i) any  misrepresentation,  inaccuracy  or
breach of  representation,  warranty,  covenant or agreement by Seller or Parent
made in this Agreement (including,  without limitation, the Schedules,  Exhibits
and Annexes  hereto and the  certificates  delivered  hereunder)  or as provided
herein;  provided,  however, that Seller's and Parent's obligation to indemnify,
defend and hold  harmless  Buyer and  SPACEHAB  under this  clause (i) shall not
arise with  respect to any losses  that do not  exceed  $5,000  individually  or
$250,000  in the  aggregate;  and  provided,  further,  that in the  case of any
individual  loss in excess of $5,000 or aggregate  losses in excess of $250,000,
Seller and Parent shall be liable for the entire  amount of such loss or losses,
(ii)  any  Excluded  Liability,   (iii)  any  and  all  Losses  arising  from  a
determination  that the sale of the Assets hereunder is ineffective  against any
creditor of Seller or Parent or any taxing  authority or other entity  asserting
any  similar  claim  against  Seller or Parent or the  Assets  and (iv) costs or
expenses  related to the  employment of current or former  Personnel for periods
prior to the Closing Date, that Buyer, Seller or Parent may incur (including but
not limited to, with respect to the Employee  Plans or with respect to any other
benefit  plan) with  respect  to which  Seller  (or any  entity  required  to be
aggregated with Seller under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code) has or
had any liability or obligation to contribute at any time before the Closing).

     (b) In addition to the foregoing  provisions  of Section  10.2(a) above and
without limiting the generality of such  provisions,  Seller and Parent agree to
fully  indemnify  and  hold  harmless  (i)  Buyer  and  its  respective   parent
corporations  and  subsidiaries  and all other members,  if any, of any group of
which Buyer is a member for Tax purposes (any subsequent reference to "Buyer" in
this  clause  (i) shall mean  either  Buyer  individually  or one or more of its
affiliates as described herein,  as appropriate)  against and in respect of and,
on demand,  will  reimburse  Buyer for, any and all  liability  whatsoever,  and
however imposed (including any claim asserted or deficiency  assessed against or
collected  from or paid by  Buyer),  in  respect  of (A)  except  for any  Taxes
expressly  provided  for  herein as being  assumed  or paid by Buyer,  any Taxes
relating  to the Assets or the  Business  for any and all  periods  through  and
including the Closing Date and (B) any Taxes  payable by the Seller  pursuant to
Article  XI  hereof,  and (ii)  Buyer and its  respective  parent  corporations,
subsidiaries,  officers,  directors,  shareholders and other affiliates from and
against and in respect of any and all Losses  resulting  from any  environmental
claim made against Buyer, or its respective parent  corporations,  subsidiaries,
officers,  directors,  shareholders and other affiliates by any person or entity
(including,  but not limited  to,  claims  under  CERCLA,  as amended,  or other
federal,  state,  local,  or foreign  Environmental  Laws)  arising from events,
circumstances,  or conditions occurring,  or existing on or prior to the Closing
Date relating to the Business,  whether disclosed or undisclosed;  provided that
any claim therefor is asserted by Buyer prior to five (5) years from the Closing
Date.

<PAGE>

     (c) In addition to the foregoing  provisions of Section 10.2, Parent agrees
that it shall not be necessary or required  that Buyer or SPACEHAB  exercise any
right,  assert any claim or demand or  enforce  any  remedy  whatsoever  against
Seller  before or as a condition to the  obligations  of Parent  hereunder.  The
indemnification  liability of Parent under the  foregoing  provisions of Section
10.2 shall be absolute  and  unconditional  as if Parent  rather than Seller had
made the  representations  and warranties  herein  irrespective  of any right of
set-off or  counterclaim  which may at any time be  available  to or asserted by
Parent or Seller against Buyer or SPACEHAB or any affiliates thereof.

     Section 10.3 Buyer's Agreement to Indemnify. Buyer and SPACEHAB jointly and
severally shall fully  indemnify,  defend and hold harmless  Seller,  Parent and
their respective  officers,  directors,  employees and affiliates against and in
respect of any and all Losses (a) resulting from any misrepresentation or breach
of any  representation,  warranty,  covenant  or  agreement  by  Buyer  in  this
Agreement (including,  without limitation, the certificates delivered hereunder)
or as provided herein; provided,  however, that Buyer's obligation to indemnify,
defend and hold harmless Seller and Parent under this clause (a) shall not arise
with respect to any losses that do not exceed $5,000 individually or $250,000 in
the aggregate; and provided, further, that in the case of any individual loss in
excess of $5,000 or  aggregate  losses  in excess of  $250,000,  Buyer  shall be
liable for the  entire  amount of such loss or losses,  (b)  arising  out of the
conduct of the Business from and after the Closing Date,  except with respect to
an Excluded Liability and (c) resulting from any Assumed Liability.

     Section 10.4  Procedures  Relating to  Indemnification.  Promptly after the
receipt by any party hereto of notice of any claim,  action,  suit or proceeding
of any third party which is subject to indemnification  hereunder, such party or
parties (the  "Indemnified  Party")  shall give written  notice of such claim (a
"Notice of Claim") to the party or parties obligated to provide  indemnification
hereunder (collectively, the "Indemnifying Party"), stating the nature and basis
of such claim and the amount  thereof,  to the extent known.  The failure of the
Indemnified  Party to so notify  the  Indemnifying  Party  shall not  impair the
Indemnified Party's ability to seek indemnification from the Indemnifying Party.
The  Indemnifying  Party  shall be  entitled  to  participate  in the defense or
settlement of such matter and the parties agree to cooperate in any such defense
or  settlement  and to give each other full access to all  information  relevant
thereto.  The  Indemnifying  Party  shall  not  be  obligated  to  indemnify  an
Indemnified  Party  hereunder  for  any  settlement  entered  into  without  the
Indemnifying  Party's  prior  written  consent,   which  consent  shall  not  be
unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. If any Notice of Claim relates to
a claim by a person or persons (other than by federal, state or local income tax
authorities  or by the  Buyer or  SPACEHAB),  and the  amount  of such  claim is
acknowledged  by Seller  to be fully  covered  by the  foregoing  indemnity,  as
limited  herein,  the  Seller  may elect to  defend  against  such  claim at its
expense, in lieu of the Buyer or SPACEHAB assuming such defense;  provided, that
Buyer or SPACEHAB shall be entitled to participate in or monitor such defense at
its  expense  and Seller will fully  cooperate  with Buyer or  SPACEHAB  and its
counsel with  respect  thereto.  If the Seller or any other  persons as provided
above  elect to assume  such  defense,  they  shall  retain  counsel  reasonably
satisfactory to the Buyer or SPACEHAB. No compromise or settlement of such claim
may be effected by either party without the other party's  consent  (which shall
not be unreasonably withheld) unless (i) there is no finding or admission of any
violation of law and no effect on any other claims that may be made against such
other party and (ii) the sole relief provided is monetary  damages that are paid
in full by the party seeking the settlement.

     Section  10.5  Payment.  All  amounts  payable  by one  party to the  other
pursuant to the  provisions  of this Article X shall be payable  within five (5)
business  days  after a final  determination  thereof  in  accordance  with  the
provisions  hereof.  Any  payment  by  one  party  to  another  pursuant  to the
provisions of this Article X shall be in an amount which,  after reduction by an
amount  equal  to the  Taxes  required  to be paid by the  Indemnified  Party in
respect of the receipt or accrual of such amount (and after giving effect to any
current Tax benefits  actually  realized by the Indemnified Party as a result of
the event giving rise to such  payment as a reduction in Taxes),  shall be equal
to the payment otherwise required hereunder.

     Article XI. PAYMENT OF CERTAIN TAXES AND EXPENSES.  Buyer agrees to pay all
federal,  state,  county,  local and foreign sales taxes which may be payable by
reason of the purchase  and sale of the Assets.  Buyer and Seller agree that all
transfer,  recording  and stamp  taxes  payable  in  connection  with any of the
transactions  contemplated under this Agreement and all federal,  state, county,
local  and  foreign  Taxes  (including  foreign  transfer  or  stamp  taxes,  if
applicable)  which may be  payable  by reason  of the  purchase  and sale of the
Assets shall be shared equally.  Each party will be liable for its own costs and
expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation,  preparation, execution or
performance of this Agreement,  including  without  limitation,  fees, costs and
expenses of its own financial consultants, accountants and counsel.

     Article XII.  WAIVER.  This  Agreement  shall not be released,  discharged,
abandoned, changed or modified in any manner, except by an instrument in writing
executed by the parties hereto.  The failure of any party to enforce at any time
any of the  provisions  of this  Agreement  shall in no way be construed to be a
waiver of any such  provision,  nor in any way to affect  the  validity  of this
Agreement  or any part  hereof or the right of any party  thereafter  to enforce
each and every such  provision.  No waiver of any breach of this Agreement shall
be held to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach.

     Article  XIII.  NOTICES,  ETC.  All  notices,  requests,  demands and other
communications  hereunder  shall be in writing  and shall be deemed to have been
duly given,  if  delivered in person or by courier,  telegraphed,  telexed or by
facsimile  transmission  or mailed by  certified  or  registered  mail,  postage
prepaid:

<PAGE>

If to Seller or
  Parent:             Astrotech Space Operations, L.P.
                             c/o Northrop Grumman Corporation
                             1840 Century Park East
                              Los Angeles, CA 90067
                            Telephone: (310) 201-3074
                             Telecopy:
                              Attention: Secretary

with a copy to:       Office of General Counsel
                             Northrop Grumman Corporation
                             1840 Century Park East
                             Los Angeles, CA 90067
                             Telephone: (310) 201-3081
                             Telecopy:  (310) 554-4554
                             Attention: General Counsel

If to SPACEHAB
or Buyer:             SPACEHAB, Incorporated
                             1595 Spring Hill Road
                             Vienna, VA  22182
                             Telephone: (703) 821-3000
                             Telecopy:  (703) 821-3070
                             Attention: Margaret E. Grayson

with a copy to:       Dewey Ballantine
                             1301 Avenue of the Americas
                             New York, NY  10019
                             Telephone: (212) 259-8000
                             Telecopy:  (212) 259-6333
                             Attention:  Frank E. Morgan II, Esq.

Any party may,  by  written  notice to the  other,  change the  address to which
notices to such party are to be delivered or mailed.

     Article XIV.  ENTIRE  AGREEMENT;  AMENDMENT.  This  Agreement and the other
agreements  referred to herein and entered into in connection herewith set forth
the  entire  agreement  and  understanding  of the  parties  in  respect  of the
transactions   contemplated   hereby  and   supersede   all  prior   agreements,
arrangements and understandings  relating to the subject matter hereof including
all such agreements,  arrangements and  understandings  between Seller,  Parent,
Buyer and  SPACEHAB.  No  representation,  promise,  inducement  or statement of
intention  has been made by  Seller,  Parent or Buyer and  SPACEHAB  that is not
embodied  in this  Agreement  or the other  agreements  referred  to herein  and
entered into in connection herewith, the Annexes,  Schedules or Exhibits hereto,
or the written  statements,  certificates or other documents  delivered pursuant
hereto.  This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written  instrument
executed by the parties hereto or by their successors and assigns.

     Article XV. PRESS RELEASES.  No party hereto shall issue any press releases
or make any public announcements of any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement  except as may be  mutually  agreed to in writing by Seller and Buyer;
provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller and Buyer shall be
permitted, upon prior notice to the other party, to make such disclosures to the
public or  governmental  authorities  as their  respective  counsel  shall  deem
necessary to maintain  compliance with, or to prevent  violation of,  applicable
laws.

     Article XVI. GENERAL.  This Agreement:  (a) shall be construed and enforced
in  accordance  with the laws of the State of New York without  giving effect to
the choice of law principles  thereof;  (b) shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the successors and assigns of the parties  hereto,  nothing in this
Agreement,  expressed or implied, being intended to confer upon any other person
any  rights  or  remedies  hereunder;  and  (c) may be  executed  in two or more
counterparts,  each of  which  shall  be  deemed  an  original  but all of which
together  shall  constitute one and the same  instrument.  The Section and other
headings  contained in this Agreement are for reference  purposes only and shall
not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

     Article  XVII.  SEVERABILITY.  To the  extent  that any  provision  of this
Agreement  shall be invalid or  unenforceable,  it shall be  considered  deleted
herefrom and the  remainder of such  provision  and of this  Agreement  shall be
unaffected and shall continue in full force and effect.  In furtherance  and not
in limitation  of the  foregoing,  if the duration or  geographic  extent of, or
business activity covered by, any provision of this Agreement shall be in excess
of that which is enforceable  under applicable law, then such provision shall be
construed to cover only that duration, extent or activities which may be validly
and enforceably covered.

<PAGE>

     Article  XVIII.BULK  SALES LAWS. The parties hereto hereby waive compliance
with the provisions of any applicable  bulk sales laws,  including  Article 6 of
the  Uniform  Commercial  Code  as  it  may  be  in  effect  in  any  applicable
jurisdiction.  This  provision  shall  not be  deemed  to in any way  limit  the
indemnity provided for in Section 10.2(a) above.

     Article XIX. TERMINATION.

     Section 19.1 Termination.  This Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby  may be  terminated  at any  time  prior to  Closing  by  written  notice
delivered  by Seller to Buyer or by Buyer to Seller,  as the case may be, in the
following instances:

     (a) By Buyer if there has been a  material  misrepresentation,  a  material
breach of  warranty  or a  material  failure  to comply on the part of Parent or
Seller with  respect to any of the  representations,  warranties,  covenants  or
provisions  set  forth  herein  (or  delivered  in any other  document  pursuant
hereto), including, without limitation, any material misrepresentation, material
breach or material failure to comply that is evidenced in any Schedule delivered
by Seller,  or which is  discovered in Buyer's due  diligence  investigation  of
Seller and the Business, and such misrepresentation, breach or failure to comply
has or is reasonably  likely to have a Material  Adverse Effect on the condition
(financial or otherwise),  assets or properties of the Business taken as a whole
in the hands of Buyer and has not been cured, if capable of cure, in full within
twenty (20) days of receipt by Seller of notice from Buyer.

     (b) By Seller if there has been a  material  misrepresentation,  a material
breach of warranty or a material failure to comply with any covenant on the part
of Buyer with respect to the representations,  warranties or covenants set forth
herein  (or  delivered  in  any  other  document   pursuant   hereto)  and  such
misrepresentation, breach or failure to comply has not been cured, if capable of
cure, within twenty (20) days of receipt by Buyer of notice from Seller.

     (c) At any time  prior to  Closing  by the  mutual  consent  in  writing of
Seller, Parent, Buyer and SPACEHAB.

     (d) By Buyer or Seller if approval by SPACEHAB's  Board of Directors is not
obtained by January 31, 1997.

     (e) By Buyer or Seller  if  Closing  does not occur on or before  March 31,
1997.

     Section 19.2 Liability in the Event of Termination; Remedies.

     (a) In the event of  termination  of this  Agreement  and the  transactions
contemplated  hereby  pursuant to Sections  19.1(a) or (b) hereof,  if there has
been  an  intentional  material  representation  of any of  the  items  provided
therein,  the  non-breaching  party may avail  itself of all  rights,  power and
remedies  now or  hereafter  existing  at  law or in  equity  or by  statute  or
otherwise.

     (b) In the event of  termination  of this  Agreement  and the  transactions
contemplated  hereby pursuant to Sections  19.1(a) or (b) (if there has not been
an  intentional  material  misrepresentation)  or pursuant  to Sections  19.1(c)
through (e) hereof,  this Agreement shall,  with the exception of Article XI and
Article XV hereof, become void and have no further effect, without any liability
on the part of any party hereto.

     Article XX. ASSIGNMENT.  Neither this Agreement nor any interest herein may
directly or indirectly be transferred  or assigned by any party,  in whole or in
part,  without the written  consent of the other parties,  except that Buyer may
effect any such  assignment to any affiliated  company,  but any such assignment
shall not relieve Buyer or SPACEHAB of their  respective  duties and obligations
contained in this Agreement.

     Article XXI. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY.  This Agreement is for the benefit
of, and may be enforced only by,  Seller,  Parent,  Buyer,  SPACEHAB,  and their
respective successors and transferees and assignees,  and is not for the benefit
of, and may not be enforced by, any third party.

     Article  XXII.  REMEDIES.  The  parties  agree that,  for the  transactions
provided  for in this  Agreement,  the sole and  exclusive  remedy  shall be for
breaches of the express terms herein.

     Article XXIII.INTERPRETIVE  PROVISION.  Whenever used in this Agreement "to
the knowledge of" or similar language shall mean the actual knowledge, after due
inquiry,  of any person  who, on the date hereof is an officer of Seller and who
is identified on Annex I hereto.

     Article  XXIV.   SPACEHAB   GUARANTEE.   SPACEHAB  hereby   unconditionally
guarantees the payment and performance of any and all of Buyer's liabilities and
obligations  hereunder  and those under any  ancillary  agreements  or documents
executed and delivered in connection with this Agreement.  Seller and Parent may
seek remedies  directly from SPACEHAB  without first  exhausting  their remedies
against Buyer.


<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have duly executed this Agreement
the day and year first above written.

SPACEHAB ACQUISITION CORP.


By: /s/ David Rossi 
    ----------------------
    Name:  David Rossi
    Title: Vice President


SPACEHAB, INCORPORATED


By: /s/ David Rossi
    ----------------------
    Name:  David Rossi
    Title: Senior Vice President

ASTROTECH SPACE OPERATIONS, L.P.
        By Astrotech Space Operations,
        Incorporated,
        its General Partner


By: /s/ J.C. Grohowski
    ----------------------
    Name:  J. C. Grohowski
    Title: President

NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION


By: /s/ Albert Meyers
    ----------------------
    Name:  Albert Meyers
    Title:  Corp. V.P. and Treasurer



<PAGE>



                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page

Parties.....................................................................  1

Recitals....................................................................  1

Article I.        SALE AND PURCHASE.........................................  1

      Section 1.1 Sale and Purchase of Assets...............................  1
      Section 1.2 Excluded Assets...........................................  4
      Section 1.3 Assumption of Liabilities and Obligations.................  4
      Section 1.4 Excluded Liabilities......................................  5


Article II.       PURCHASE PRICE; ADJUSTMENT................................  5
      Section 2.1 Purchase Price............................................  5
      Section 2.2 Adjustment of Purchase Price..............................  5
      Section 2.3 Allocation of Purchase Price..............................  7
      Section 2.4 Closing Proration.........................................  7

Article III.      THE CLOSING...............................................  7

Article IV.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER..................  7

      Section 4.1  Seller's Organization, Good Standing, Capitalization.....  7
      Section 4.2  Authority; Execution; Delivery...........................  7
      Section 4.3  Consents; No Violation, Etc..............................  8
      Section 4.4  No Other Agreements to Sell the Assets or the Busines....  8
      Section 4.5  Financial Statements.....................................  8
      Section 4.6  Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities and Obligations.......  9
      Section 4.7  Absence of Certain Changes or Events.....................  9
      Section 4.8  Taxes....................................................  10
      Section 4.9  Accounts Receivable......................................  12
      Section 4.10 Copies of Documents......................................  12
      Section 4.11 Tangible Properties......................................  12
      Section 4.12 Intellectual Property....................................  13
      Section 4.13 Assets...................................................  14
      Section 4.14 Insurance................................................  14
      Section 4.15 Employment Matters.......................................  14
      Section 4.16 Employee Benefit Plans...................................  14
      Section 4.17 Litigation...............................................  15
      Section 4.18 Compliance with Laws.....................................  16
      Section 4.19 Validity of Leases and Contracts.........................  16
      Section 4.20 No Brokers...............................................  16
      Section 4.21 Transactions with Certain Persons........................  17
      Section 4.22 Records..................................................  17
      Section 4.23 Warranties...............................................  17
      Section 4.24 Environmental Matters....................................  17
      Section 4.25 Suppliers, Distributors and Customers....................  18
      Section 4.26 Investments..............................................  18
      Section 4.27 Exclusive Representations and Warranties.................  18

Article V.        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT..................  18

      Section 5.1  Parent's Organization, Good Standing, Capitalization.....  18
      Section 5.2  Authority; Execution; Delivery; Ownership of Seller......  18
      Section 5.3  Consents; No Violation, Etc..............................  19
      Section 5.4  No Other Agreements to Sell the Assets or the Business...  19
      Section 5.5  Employee Benefit Plans...................................  19

Article VI.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER AND SPACEHAB......  19

      Section 6.1  Buyer's Organization and Good Standing...................  19
      Section 6.2  Authority; Execution and Delivery........................  20
      Section 6.3  No Brokers...............................................  20
      Section 6.4  Consents, No Conflicts, Etc..............................  20


                                        i



<PAGE>


                                                                            Page

Article VII.      CERTAIN COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS..........................  20

      Section 7.1  Non-Competition .........................................  20
      Section 7.2  Non-Disclosure ..........................................  21
      Section 7.3  Further Assurances ......................................  21
      Section 7.4  Access to Facilities; Due Diligence .....................  21
      Section 7.5  Conduct of the Business .................................  21
      Section 7.6  Changes in Representations and Warranties ...............  22
      Section 7.7  Mutual Cooperation ......................................  22
      Section 7.8  No Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets, Etc ........  23
      Section 7.9  Access to Books and Records; Cooperation ................  23
      Section 7.10 Consents ................................................  23
      Section 7.11 Hart-Scott-Rodino Act ...................................  24
      Section 7.12 Collection of Receivables ...............................  24
      Section 7.13 Assignment of Receivables ...............................  24
      Section 7.14 Personnel ...............................................  24
      Section 7.15 Change of Name ..........................................  25
      Section 7.16 Novation of Contracts; Third Party Consents .............  25
      Section 7.17 Performance of Obligations ..............................  25
      Section 7.18 Capital Expenditures ....................................  26
      Section 7.19 Government Clearances ...................................  26

Article VIII.     CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF BUYER AND SPACEHAB. .........  26

      Section 8.1  Representations and Warranties True at the Closing Date .  27
      Section 8.2  Seller's and Parent's Performance .......................  27
      Section 8.3  Instruments of Conveyance and Transfer; Title Insurance .  27
      Section 8.4  Certain Tax and Real Estate Transfer Forms ..............  27
      Section 8.5  Opinion of Seller's and Parent's Counsel ................  28
      Section 8.6  Approvals and Consents ..................................  28
      Section 8.7  Material Adverse Change .................................  28
      Section 8.8  Litigation ..............................................  28
      Section 8.9  No Change in Law ........................................  28
      Section 8.10 Hart-Scott Rodino-Act ...................................  28
      Section 8.11 Authorization Documents .................................  28
      Section 8.12 Documents ...............................................  28
      Section 8.13 Release of UCCs .........................................  29
      Section 8.14 Additional Closing Documents of Seller and Parent .......  29
      Section 8.15 Delivery of Financial Statements ........................  29
      Section 8.16 Environmental Review ....................................  29
      Section 8.17 LMCLS Agreement .........................................  29

Article IX.       CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF SELLER AND PARENT............  29

      Section 9.1 Representations and Warranties True at the Closing Date ..  29
      Section 9.2 Buyer's Performance.......................................  29
      Section 9.3 Opinion of Buyer's Counsel................................  30
      Section 9.4 Approvals and Consents....................................  30
      Section 9.5 Litigation................................................  30
      Section 9.6 No Change in Law..........................................  30
      Section 9.7 Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.....................................  30
      Section 9.8 Documents.................................................  30

      Article X.  NATURE AND SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND
                  WARRANTIES, ETC...........................................  30

      Section 10.1 Survival of Representations, Warranties, Etc.............  30
      Section 10.2 Seller and Parent Agreement to Indemnify.................  31
      Section 10.3 Buyer's Agreement to Indemnify...........................  32
      Section 10.4 Procedures Relating to Indemnification...................  32
      Section 10.5 Payment..................................................  32

Article XI.       PAYMENT OF CERTAIN TAXES AND EXPENSES.....................  33

Article XII.      WAIVER....................................................  33

Article XIII.     NOTICES, ETC..............................................  33

                                       ii



<PAGE>


                                                                            Page

Article XIV.      ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT...............................  34

Article XV.       PRESS RELEASES............................................  34

Article XVI.      GENERAL...................................................  34

Article XVII.     SEVERABILITY..............................................  35

Article XVIII.    BULK SALES LAWS...........................................  35

Article XIX.      TERMINATION...............................................  35

      Section 19.1 Termination..............................................  35
      Section 19.2 Liability in the Event of Termination; Remedies..........  36

Article XX.       ASSIGNMENT................................................  36

Article XXI.      NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY................................  36

Article XXII.     REMEDIES..................................................  36

Article XXIII.    INTERPRETIVE PROVISION....................................  36

Article XXIV.     SPACEHAB GUARANTEE........................................  36


                                       iii



<PAGE>




                              EXHIBITS



Exhibit A      Reference Balance Sheet
Exhibit B      Opinion of Seller's Counsel
Exhibit C      Opinion of Buyer's Counsel



                                       iv



<PAGE>



                        DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES



Schedule                                           Description

4.3(a)                                             Consents
4.3(b)                                             No Violation
4.5                                                Financial Statements
4.7                                                Absence of Certain
Changes or Events
4.8(c)                                             Tax Returns
4.8(f)                                             Tax
Assessments/Deficiency
4.8(h)                                             Franchise/Income/Tax
Returns
4.9                                                Accounts Receivable
4.10(e)                                            Permits
4.11                                               Assets
4.11(a)                                            Permitted Liens
4.11(b)                                            Equipment
4.12(a)                                            Intellectual Property
4.12(b)                                            Liens on Intellectual
Property
4.12(d)                                            Intellectual Property
Proceedings
4.14                                               Insurance
4.15                                               Employment Matters
4.16(a)                                            Employee Plans
4.16(b)                                            Multiemployer Plans,
                                                   PBGC Liability and
                                                   Accumulated Funding
                                                   Deficiencies
4.16(e)                                            Compensation
4.17                                               Litigation
4.18(b)                                            Compliance with Laws
4.19                                               Leases & Contracts
4.21                                               Transactions with Certain
Persons
4.23                                               Warranties
4.24                                               Environmental Matters
4.25                                               Suppliers, Distributors and
Customers
4.26                                               Investments
5.3(a)                                             Consents
          5.3(b)                                   No Violation
7.18                                               Capital Expenditures
7.19                                               Government Clearances

                                        v



<PAGE>


                            DEFINED TERMS


                                                   Cross Reference
Terms                                               in Agreement
- -----                                              ---------------

Accounts Receivable                                Section 1.1(b)
Agreement                                          Preamble
Assets                                             Section 1.1
Assumed Liabilities                                Section 1.3
Balance Sheet Date                                 Section 1.1(a)
Business                                           Preamble
CERCLA                                             Section 4.24(a)
Certification                                      Section 2.2(a)
Claims                                             Section 1.1(j)
Closing                                            Article III
Closing Balance Sheet                              Section 2.2(a)
Closing Date                                       Article III
COBRA Coverage                                     Section 4.15
Code                                               Section 2.3
Competing Business                                 Section 7.1(b)
Contract                                           Section 1.1(d)
Contracts                                          Section 1.1(d)
Deeds                                              Section 8.3
Employee Plans                                     Section 4.16
Environmental Laws                                 Section 4.24(a)
ERISA                                              Section 4.16
Excluded Assets                                    Section 1.2
Excluded Liabilities                               Section 1.4
Financial Statements                               Section 4.5
Firm                                               Section 2.2(b)
Future Contracts                                   Section 1.1(h)
GAAP                                               Undefined
Governmental Authority                             Section 4.18(a)
H-S-R Act                                          Section 7.11
Hazardous Materials                                Section 4.24(a)
Indemnified Party                                  Section 10.4
Indemnifying Party                                 Section 10.4
Intellectual Property                              Section 1.1(l)
Laws                                               Section 4.18(a)
Liens                                              Section 4.2
LMCLS Agreement                                    Section 8.17
Losses                                             Section 10.2
Material Adverse Effect                            Section 4.1
Names                                              Section 1.1(g)
net asset value                                    Section 2.2(b)(i)
Non-Competition Period                             Section 7.1
Parent                                             Preamble
Permits                                            Section 1.1(k)
Permitted Liens                                    Section 4.11
Personal Property                                  Section 1.1(c)
Personnel                                          Section 4.7(c)
Prepaid Expenses                                   Section 1.1(i)
Provider Contracts                                 Section 1.1(d)
Purchase Price                                     Section 2.1
Real Property                                      Section 1.1(e)
Real Property Leases                               Section 1.1(e)
Records                                            Section 1.1(f)
Reference Balance Sheet                            Section 4.5
Restricted Names                                   Section 7.15

Seller                                             Preamble
SPACEHAB                                           Preamble
Tax                                                Section 4.8(a)
Tax Return                                         Section 4.8(b)
Transferred Personnel                              Section 7.14
Warranties                                         Section 1.1(m)

                                       vi





                                                                     Exhibit 2.2

                      AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT


     THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT,  dated as of February 12,
1997 (this "Amendment"),  is by and among SPACEHAB ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware
corporation,   as  buyer  ("Buyer"),   SPACEHAB,   INCORPORATED,   a  Washington
corporation ("SPACEHAB"),  ASTROTECH SPACE OPERATIONS,  L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership ("Seller"), and NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation
("Parent").

     Reference is made to the Asset  Purchase  Agreement  dated February 5, 1997
(the  "Asset  Purchase  Agreement")  by and among  Buyer,  SPACEHAB,  Seller and
Parent.  Capitalized  terms  used  herein  without  definition  shall  have  the
respective  meanings  set forth in the  Asset  Purchase  Agreement.  Each of the
undersigned  hereby agrees to the following  with respect to the Asset  Purchase
Agreement:

     1.  Inasmuch as Seller is unable to deliver all  third-party  consents  and
approvals to transfer  all of the  Contracts to Buyer at the Closing as required
by Section 8.6 of the Asset  Purchase  Agreement,  Buyer hereby  agrees to waive
this closing  condition in light of the agreement by Seller to permit Buyer full
use of any premises demised  pursuant to any lease not yet effectively  assigned
with all  required  third party  consents  until the earlier of (i) the date the
lease is so assigned or (ii) the date the lease expires in  accordance  with its
term, and to continue as prime  contractor or customer on each Contract that has
not been  effectively  assigned  and/or  novated with all  required  consents of
third-parties,  including  but not  limited  to the  following  Contracts:  NASA
Kennedy Space Center  (Contract  No.  NAS10-12270);  USAF Fuel Supply  Agreement
(Vandenberg);  USAF Fuel Supply Agreement (FL);  McDonnell Douglas  Astronautics
Company;  Motorola, Inc.; and United Paradyne Corporation for a period ending on
the earlier of (i) the date on which all required consents for said Contract are
received  and the  assignment  thereof  becomes  fully  effective  or  (ii)  the
expiration  of said  Contract.  Seller  covenants  that it shall retain Buyer to
perform  all work  under said  Contracts  and to receive  all  benefits  of said
Contracts, including but not limited to all monies received under said Contracts
(without  any  deduction  for any reason,  including  but not limited to service
charges and overhead  assessments other than actual costs payable to contracting
parties,  including  without  limitation  rental  payments),  and to receive any
materials or supplies under Contracts where Seller is the vendee. Seller further
agrees that it shall  retain its legal  existence in its current form during the
period that it is acting as the contracting party with any third-party  pursuant
to this  provision.  In addition,  Seller  agrees that it will not terminate any
such Contract  without the advance written  permission of Buyer.  Both Buyer and
Seller  agree  that they shall use their best  efforts  to  accomplish  all such
transfers  and  attendant  consents  as soon as is  reasonably  possible  and to
provide the assistance  provided in Section 7.3 of the Asset Purchase Agreement.
Buyer further agrees that it will defend and indemnify Seller and Parent against
any  claim  that may  arise  from  any  third-party  as a result  of the work it
undertakes during this  sub-contracting  arrangement or any obligation as vendee
from the Closing until such Contracts are assigned with all required consents to
Buyer in accordance with the terms of Buyer's indemnification under Section 10.3
et seq. of the Asset Purchase Agreement,  except that the dollar limitations set
forth in Section 10.3 shall not apply to this specific  indemnity.  For purposes
of clarity,  this specific  indemnity  shall extend to the end of any applicable
statute of limitations period.

     2. In light of the fact that a survey of the  Titusville,  FL facility  has
not yet been supplied to the title insurance  company that is writing the policy
on this  property  and  given  that the  title  insurance  company  is noting an
exception  to their  policy based on whatever  additional  matters  might be set
forth on said survey when it is delivered other than exceptions on Schedule B of
the title  insurance  policy (other than survey  exceptions),  Seller and Parent
agree to  indemnify  Buyer for any  matters  that may appear on the survey  that
impact  negatively the value of the property or its use that would require Buyer
to expend  funds to remove the  exception  in  accordance  with the terms of the
Seller's and Parent's  indemnification  under  Section 10.2 et seq. of the Asset
Purchase Agreement, except that the dollar limitations set forth in Section 10.2
shall not apply to this specific indemnity.

     3. In all other respects, the Asset Purchase Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect.

     This Amendment:  (a) shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the
laws of the  State  of New York  without  giving  effect  to the  choice  of law
principles  thereof;  (b) shall inure to the benefit of and be binding  upon the
successors  and  assigns  of the  parties  hereto,  nothing  in this  Amendment,
expressed or implied,  being intended to confer upon any other person any rights
or remedies hereunder; and (c) may be executed in two or more counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall  constitute
one and the same  instrument.  The Section and other headings  contained in this
Amendment  are for  reference  purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Amendment.

<PAGE>


     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have duly executed this Amendment
the day and year first above written.

SPACEHAB ACQUISITION CORP.


By: /s/ David Rossi
    -------------------
    Name:  David Rossi
    Title: Vice President


SPACEHAB, INCORPORATED


By: /s/ David Rossi
    -------------------
    Name:  David Rossi
    Title: Senior Vice President

ASTROTECH SPACE OPERATIONS, L.P.
        By Astrotech Space Operations,
        Incorporated,
        its General Partner


By: /s/ D. H. Strode
    --------------------
    Name:  D. H. Strode
    Title: Attorney-in-Fact

NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION


By: /s/ John H. Mullan
    ----------------------
    Name:  John H. Mullan
    Title: Attorney-in-Fact



                                                                    Exhibit 99.1


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact:       Margaret E. Grayson
               Chief Financial Officer
               (703) 821-3000


                      SPACEHAB Completes Acquisition of Astrotech

     Vienna,  Virginia  (February 13, 1997) -- SPACEHAB,  Inc.,  (Nasdaq:  SPAB)
announced  today that it has completed  its purchase of the operating  assets of
Astrotech Space Operations,  L.P., from Northrop Grumman Corporation.  Astrotech
is the premier provider of commercial  satellite payload processing  services in
the United States. A definitive  agreement to acquire Astrotech was announced on
February 6, 1997. Terms were not disclosed.

     SPACEHAB,  Inc.,  is the first  company to  commercially  develop,  own and
operate habitable  modules that provide  space-based  laboratory  facilities and
logistics  resupply  services  aboard the U.S.  Space Shuttles to support people
living and working in space.  Seven SPACEHAB  module missions have been flown on
the Space Shuttle fleet. The next SPACEHAB flight is scheduled for May 15, 1997,
aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis.



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission