1958
AS&E is formed in Cambridge, Massachusetts as a developer of scientific and technological instruments and applications for NASA. While the company initially relies on government agency contracts, it is simultaneously building a significant technology base from which future security products will originate.
1959
Dr. Riccardo Giacconi joins AS&E and forms a small X-ray astronomy team. (In 2002, Dr. Giacconi is honored with the Nobel Prize in Physics.)
1962
Dr. Giacconi's team at AS&E discovers Sco X-1, the first known X-ray source outside the solar system, using X-ray detectors launched on a sounding rocket.
1965
AS&E participates in launch operations for eight rocket and satellite payloads carrying instrumentation designed and developed by AS&E. Among these flights is a NASA rocket carrying an image-forming X-ray telescope designed by AS&E. This experiment results in the first successful photograph of the sun in soft X-rays.
1967
AS&E builds the first focusing X-Ray telescope, a model of which is now flying as part of the Orbiting Solar Observatory launched on October 18. The telescope returns an X-ray picture of the sun every five minutes for the next 15 years.
1969
The first stop-action sequence ever taken of the development of a solar flare in X-rays is obtained during a rocket launch of AS&E's telescope - the largest X-ray telescope flown to date.
1970
Dr. Giacconi's research group launches "Uhuru" - the first satellite dedicated completely to X-ray astronomy. Uhuru completes its mission in 1973.
AS&E acquires Sippican Electronics Division of Sippican Corporation.
1973
AS&E's Flying Spot is patented.
1975
AS&E becomes a public company (AMEX: ASE).
1976
AS&E introduces ASEP™, a field-leading system for public utility load management, demand metering and automatic remote meter reading. ASEP™ becomes a major revenue-generator for AS&E during the 1980s.
1977
AS&E develops MICRO-DOSE™ Personnel Inspection System - a precursor to BodySearch™.
1978
With funding from NASA, AS&E successfully launches the Einstein Observatory - the world's largest X-ray telescope designed by the AS&E Space Division. Einstein located more than 7,000 X-ray sources until 1981.
AS&E signs a significant agreement with Pfizer Medical Systems for the continued development of Medical MICRO-DOSE™ Systems.
1979
AS&E designs an X-ray telescope for unique NASA mission to study dynamics of the sun and interplanetary medium.
The first X-ray images are successfully recorded in tests of AS&E's 10x X-ray Microscope for the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory.
1980
AS&E introduces MICRO-DOSE X-ray System Model 130, for carry-on luggage for airlines, as well as Model 122, an all-purpose system for baggage and parcel inspections.
1981
As AS&E's new MICRO-DOSE inspection products increase in demand, AS&E offers the new Model 50, for the inspection of small parcels and letters, as well as the Model 100 for baggage and large parcels.
1983
AS&E moves to a new building at Fort Washington in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
AS&E receives a $2 million contract from Lockheed Missile and Space Company to design a Computed Tomographic (CT) inspection system for the quality control inspection of 7-foot diameter Trident D-5 solid rocket motors.
1984
AS&E works in conjunction with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics to build a high-resolution X-ray image detector for ROSAT - the German X-ray astronomy satellite. NASA chose the instrument as the American contribution to the ROSAT shipment.
1986
AS&E introduces the revolutionary Model Z™ MICRO-DOSE® Inspection System
(Z® Backscatter) which can be retrofitted to existing systems. The new technology draws attention from publications including Fortune, Discover, The New York Times, Popular Science, U.S. News and World Report, and The Wall Street Journal.
1987
The AS&E Soft X-ray Solar Research Rocket Payload and the Naval Research Laboratory Ultraviolet Spectrograph/Spectroheliograph Payload were successfully launched in sequence in December.
1989
AS&E introduces the Model 101 series of Parcel X-ray Inspection Systems.
1990
In March, AS&E's "TOSI" X-ray Inspection System (a predecessor of CargoSearch™), begins operation, scanning missiles in railroad cars in Votkinsk, Russia, to confirm Soviet compliance with the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) Treaty.
1992
AS&E introduces a new product, AD-ON™ (Automatic Detection of Narcotics), which is purchased by U.S. Customs later in the year.
1993
New AS&E products enter the marketplace: CargoSearch, BodySearch, and Model 66 for MailSearch™ / LobbySearch™.
1994
In November, AS&E receives a contract from ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency) to develop the first MobileSearch™ X-ray Inspection System. In its first six months of operation, MobileSearch enabled Mexican agents at the U.S.-Mexico border to detect and seize 168 illegal immigrants and more than 160 kilos of cocaine valued at $8 million.
1995
AS&E moves to its new headquarters at 829 Middlesex Turnpike in Billerica, Massachusetts.
1998
AS&E receives a patent for MobileSearch.
AS&E acquires its High Energy Systems Division (HES) in Santa Clara, Calif. HES focuses on the design and fabrication of high energy, compact linear accelerators.
AS&E Manufacturing is realigned into two segments: CargoSearch and ParcelSearch™.
AS&E sells MobileSearch overseas for the first time, to a client in the Middle East.
1999
AS&E announces the receipt of two new patents: one patent for automatically detecting the presence of a concealed item within containers and other enclosures; and a patent for a tomography system that uses backscattered X-rays to determine the depth of objects within a container.
2000
AS&E continues to grow globally, as customs agencies in both the UK and Hong Kong order X-ray systems for trade fraud applications.
2001
AS&E introduces Shaped Energy™, a new X-ray technology that combines high-energy, high-penetration transmission X-rays with Z Backscatter technology.
After 9/11, AS&E's CEO testifies twice before the Aviation Sub-committee of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and once before the Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Maritime regarding X-ray screening to fight terrorism.
2002
Dr. Riccardo Giacconi is awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.
AS&E introduces Radioactive Threat Detection technology - an option for CargoSearch systems to combat dirty bombs and nuclear devices (WMD) in vehicles and containers.
AS&E sells its 50th MobileSearch System.
2003
AS&E launches the Z Backscatter Van™ (ZBV), a breakthrough drive-by screening system for cargo and vehicles.
Dr. Riccardo Giacconi is awarded the Presidential Award in Physics.
2004
AS&E's first Z Backscatter Portal system is put into operation at the Jurong Island Checkpoint in Singapore.
AS&E's first Shaped Energy Gantry X-ray inspection system is deployed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
2005
AS&E completes asset sale of High Energy Systems Division (HES) to Accuray, Inc.
AS&E introduces SmartCheck personnel screening system the industry's most comprehensive personnel X-ray screening system that detects a wide variety of threats concealed on a person, while ensuring privacy.
AS&E also introduces AS&E's OmniView™ Gantry system, the only multi-view relocatable system available today that combines high-energy transmission inspection plus multiple Z Backscatter™ X-ray views.
2006
The ZBV becomes the number one selling non-intrusive mobile inspection system on the market.
AS&E leverages Z Backscatter technology with high-resolution dual-energy to introduce the new Gemini™ parcel inspection system - the first conventional parcel inspection system on the market to combine these technologies for the most comprehensive detection.
AS&E introduces the second generation of the Z Portal® screening system, the industry's only multi-view, high-throughput, drive-through vehicle screening system capable of scanning cars, vans, trucks, and their cargo for concealed threats and contraband.
NATO awards AS&E with a $13 million contract to deploy the OmniView™ Gantry, the Z Portal, and multiple Geminis and SmartCheck personnel systems at a strategic security checkpoint.
With funding from the U.S. Government, AS&E receives a $2.2 Million R&D Contract to develop a ruggedized Z Backscatter Van™ (ZBV) for implementation in harsh environments.
2007
The Port of Charleston debuts their new port security inspection system, AS&E's OmniView™ Gantry to protect against terrorist attacks.
AS&E supplies multiple Gemini parcel inspection systems to safeguard checkpoints at 2008 Beijing Olympics.
U.S. Department of Defense purchase SmartCheck Personnel and Gemini Parcel Screening Systems for integrated screening of people and packages at overseas military base.
2008
AS&E named to the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the market with the highest initial listing standards in the world.
NATO C3 Agency orders multiple Z Portal X-ray screening systems for checkpoint security.
AS&E receives a $55.1 million contract from Abu Dhabi Customs for multiple OmniView, Z Portal and ZBVs to scan cargo trucks, passenger vehicles, and containers at strategic border checkpoints.
U.S. Government orders 22 ZBVs worth $22.2 million for counterterrorism applications.
2009
AS&E is added to Standard and Poor’s SmallCap 600 Index.
AS&E introduces new Gemini parcel inspection systems in a variety of sizes for superior threat detection.
AS&E receives its first order for Z Gantry™ cargo and vehicle inspection screening system.
ZBV mobile inspection system demonstrates success around the world with over 400 systems sold to date.
AS&E introduces the Sentry Portal high-throughput, high-penetration, drive-through cargo inspection system for ports, borders, and checkpoints.
AS&E introduces MobileSearch™ High-Energy cargo and vehicle inspection system.
2010
TSA adds AS&E’s Gemini X-ray inspection systems to its Air Cargo Qualified Technology List.
AS&E recorded the highest revenue, profits, and bookings in Company history.
AS&E receives a U.S. Government ID/IQ contract award valued up to $67.0 million for Z Portal screening systems.
