BETHESDA, Md. and PARIS, Oct. 26, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iridium OpenPort(R), the new-generation maritime high bandwidth satellite communication service from Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM), won rave reviews from the participants in the recently completed Cap Odyssee Challenge.

"We were very pleased with the performance and capabilities of the Iridium OpenPort system, which served as our primary communication link during the voyage," said Yves Parlier, who skippered the support vessel for the North Atlantic crossing.

Iridium and SeaMobile Europe teamed with Thales Alenia Space to provide Iridium OpenPort equipment and services for the support vessel accompanying the UCAR Cap Odyssee Challenge, which concluded August 28 when three young French women successfully became the first to cross the North Atlantic Ocean on paddleboards.

SeaMobile also provided its unique ClipWay(R) software package, which permitted the crew to compress and transmit photos and video files from the boat through the Iridium OpenPort terminal.

"The voice quality was excellent, and SeaMobile's ClipWay software made it very easy for us to send video and photos through the satellites using the 128 kbps datalink," said Parlier.

The three young women -- Stephanie Geyer-Barneix, Alexandra Lux and Flora Manciet -- departed from Cape Breton, Canada, on July 5, and arrived at Capbreton, France, 54 days later. Paddling in relays, they averaged some 100 kilometers per day.

"Thanks to Iridium, SeaMobile and Thales Alenia Space, we were able to sustain our enthusiasm and overcome our weariness by phoning friends and families and reading daily encouraging e-mails from our many supporters in Canada and France," the three paddleboard competitors said. "This played an important role in the successful completion of our beautiful and exciting adventure."

"The UCAR Cap Odyssee Challenge provided an excellent showcase for our new high-bandwidth Iridium OpenPort technology, which was introduced last year to meet the increasing demand for cost-effective high-capacity voice and data communications for ships and boats at sea," said Don Thoma, executive vice president of marketing, Iridium. "It provides three independent phone circuits and a separate scalable, high-speed data port, all of which can be used simultaneously without interference. The compact lightweight antenna, which has no moving parts, installs quickly and easily on vessels of all sizes."

"We were very pleased to work with Iridium and SeaMobile Europe to provide the latest in marine satellite communications technology for this record-setting expedition," said Marjorie Thary, satcom systems architect, Thales Alenia Space. "The Iridium OpenPort system made it possible for the crew to send daily reports from the boat and to obtain weather forecasts along their route, an important consideration for the safety of the paddleboarders."

"We salute these three brave young women for their dramatic achievement as the first to paddleboard across the North Atlantic Ocean, and we are pleased to welcome them home safe and sound," said Juliette Warter, marketing director for SeaMobile Europe. "We are delighted that we were able to play a part in their success."

About Iridium Communications Inc.

Iridium is the only provider of mobile satellite communications services offering 100% global coverage. Iridium's constellation operates in a low-earth orbit and its satellite network provides communication services to regions of the world not served by wireless or wireline networks. Iridium offers voice and data communications services to the U.S. and foreign governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations and consumers via its constellation of 66 in-orbit satellites, seven in-orbit spares and related ground infrastructure. Iridium's commercial end-user base includes the emergency services, maritime, government, utilities, oil and gas, mining, leisure, forestry, construction and transportation markets. Iridium's products and related applications are installed in unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, commercial aircraft, marine vessels, and ground vehicles. Iridium has launched a major development program for its next-generation constellation, Iridium NEXT, which will support new and existing Iridium product and service offerings. Iridium is headquartered in Bethesda, MD.

About SeaMobile Europe

For nearly 20 years, SeaMobile Europe has been a pioneer in providing global satellite communication services. As a preferred partner of the world's leading satellite networks and a key Iridium distributor, the company provides services ranging from simple voice communication to the setup of complete IP networks. With combined professional applications, communication methods become optimized, reliable, and cost effective. SeaMobile Europe, formerly Geolink, is part of SeaMobile Enterprises Group, based in Seattle and Miami (U.S.). SeaMobile Europe is the dominant global service provider of communications, connectivity and content services in remote locations at sea and on land. For more information, visit www.seamobile.com.

About Thales Alenia Space

A European leader in satellite systems and a major player in orbital infrastructures, Thales Alenia Space is a joint venture between Thales (67 percent) and Finmeccanica (33 percent). Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio embody the two groups' "Space Alliance." Thales Alenia Space sets the global standard in solutions for space telecoms, radar and optical Earth observation, defense and security, navigation and science. The company has a total of 7,200 employees and 11 industrial sites, with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Italy, Spain and Belgium. For more information, visit www.thalesaleniaspace.com.

CONTACT:  Iridium Communications Inc.
          Press Contact:
          Liz DeCastro
          +1 (301) 571-6257
          liz.decastro@iridium.com

          SeaMobile Europe
          Press Contact:
          Juliette Warter
          +33 177 753 000
          juliette.warter@seamobile.com

          Thales Alenia Space
          Press Contact:
          Marjorie Thary
          +33 534 355 674
          marjorie.thary@thalesaleniaspace.com

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