MCLEAN, Va., Aug. 4, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) today announced the delivery of the first satellite engineering model for the forthcoming Iridium NEXT constellation. The satellite, which arrived at Iridium's Technical Support Center (TSC) on Tuesday, July 29, 2014, is fully-functional and capable of supporting all of the verification and performance of a flight-ready satellite. Once integrated into the existing constellation testbed, Iridium will use the satellite to demonstrate Iridium NEXT performance, as well as to verify compatibility with Iridium's current constellation.

"We are very excited about taking delivery into the lab of the first Iridium NEXT-capable satellite, enabling us to test compatibility and functionality of the new satellites and supporting operational capability, which is an enormous step toward the launch of Iridium NEXT," stated Scott Smith, chief operating officer, Iridium Communications Inc.  "I have no doubt this latest testing will be a great success, and we are happy to be moving forward with the next phase of such an important program."

Beyond compatibility testing, the model also allows Iridium to "test-as-you-fly" using an Iridium NEXT satellite prior to launch. The model will be connected to the Iridium Satellite Control System, enabling command and control testing with actual flight software and flight hardware.

The Iridium TSC is an integral part of the Iridium® network, and has been providing on-orbit operation and maintenance support since 2001. In addition to the testbed, the TSC includes Iridium's backup operations center and the qualification and testing lab where products are vetted for use on the Iridium network. The entire TSC facility supports the overall Iridium concept of test-before-deployment, and the addition of the Iridium NEXT satellite model provides another great asset in the Iridium test and verification capability.

The Iridium NEXT satellite network will consist of 66 in-orbit satellites, and a number of in-orbit spares.  The constellation is scheduled to begin launching in 2015 and is expected to provide service to 2030 and beyond, while offering customers greater bandwidth and data speeds.

For more information on Iridium NEXT, go to www.iridium.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 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.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not purely historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company has based these statements on its current expectations and the information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements in this presentation include statements regarding the development and capabilities of the Iridium NEXT constellation, including the first satellite engineering model and expected Iridium NEXT deployment and launch schedule.   Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words "anticipates," "may," "can," "believes," "expects," "projects," "intends," "likely," "will," "to be" and other expressions that are predictions or indicate future events, trends or prospects. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Iridium to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties regarding Iridium NEXT development and functionality, potential delays in Iridium NEXT deployment, and the company's ability to maintain the health, capacity and content of its current satellite constellation, as well as general industry and economic conditions, and competitive, legal, governmental and technological factors. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include those factors listed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("the SEC") on May 1, 2014, as well as other filings Iridium makes with the SEC from time to time. There is no assurance that Iridium's expectations will be realized. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Iridium's underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Iridium's forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Iridium undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements.

CONTACT: Press Contact:

         

         Diane Hockenberry

         Iridium Communications Inc.

         +1 (703) 287-7421

         Diane.hockenberry@iridium.com