MCLEAN, Va., June 19, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Norman Mineta, discussed the benefits of space-based air traffic surveillance at a Tuesday, June 19, 2012 press conference hosted by Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) regarding the planned launch of a joint venture between Iridium and NAV CANADA called Aireon. Mineta was joined by Don Thoma, CEO and president of the newly-formed Aireon, Iridium CEO Matt Desch, and NAV CANADA CEO John Crichton.

A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=13350

AireonSM will provide seamless global surveillance of air traffic for the first time to air navigation service provider customers, with NAV CANADA being the first when the service is available beginning in 2017.

For the full event press release, additional photos and multimedia assets, visit www.aireon.com.

About Iridium Communications Inc.

Iridium is the only mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe. Iridium enables connections between people, organizations and assets to and from anywhere, in real time. Together with its ever-expanding ecosystem of partner companies, Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of reliable solutions for markets that require truly global communications. The company has a major development program underway for its next-generation network — Iridium NEXT. Iridium Communications Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S.A., and its common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol IRDM. For more information about Iridium products, services and partner solutions, visit www.iridium.com.

The Iridium Communications Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=10426

CONTACT: Ashley Eames

         Iridium Communications Inc.

         +1 (703) 287-7476

         ashley.eames@iridium.com

         

         Casey Clark

         FTI Consulting

         +1 (202) 346-8844

         casey.clark@fticonsulting.com

Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Norman Mineta, discussed the benefits of space-based air traffic surveillance at a Tuesday, June 19, 2012 press conference hosted by Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) regarding the planned launch of a joint venture between Iridium and NAV CANADA called Aireon. Mineta was joined by, from left, Don Thoma, CEO and president of the newly-formed Aireon, Iridium CEO Matt Desch, and NAV CANADA CEO John Crichton. &#60 br &#62 &#60 br &#62 Aireon will provide seamless global surveillance of air traffic for the first time to air navigation service provider customers, with NAV CANADA being the first when the service is available beginning in 2017.