** Shares of Astrotech Corp ASTC.O more than triple to $7.66 in early trading

** Stock will log best day in over six years if current levels hold

** Co says it will explore building infrastructure to eventually manufacture semiconductors and quantum computing systems on the moon

** The company's strategy would leverage conditions such as abundant solar energy and extreme temperatures on the moon to support computing and manufacturing systems

** ASTC joins a growing list of companies pitching ambitious roles in a future lunar economy

** Co, however, did not lay out a timeline or provide cost estimates

** ASTC has a market value of $13.5 million, per current prices

** Stock has lost 28.6% YTD as of last close

** While interest in lunar resources has grown with advances in space technology, manufacturing beyond Earth remains largely theoretical so far, with several technical, financial and logistical hurdles yet to be overcome