MCLEAN, Va., April 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) announces a call for entries to its Iridium NEXT Mission Team Scholarship program for the 2012-13 academic year. Administered by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Foundation, the endowment is a multi-year commitment by Iridium NEXT partner companies to support the development of innovative young aerospace engineers.

The Iridium NEXT Mission Team Program will award scholarships annually to the best and brightest aerospace engineering students in the world, including those already engaged in the development of Iridium NEXT through Iridium or partner internships. Along with contributions from Iridium, the program is being funded by Iridium NEXT Mission Team members including Thales Alenia Space, SpaceX, Orbital Sciences Corp., Lockheed Martin, Boeing and SEAKR.  

"We are incredibly proud to be driving Iridium NEXT — our next-generation satellite constellation and the most significant commercial space program underway today," said Scott Smith, executive vice president, satellite development and operations, Iridium. "And we hope to share the legacy of the Iridium NEXT Mission Team with future aerospace engineers through this scholarship fund. The Iridium NEXT program is planned to enhance the vital role that Iridium plays in the global communications infrastructure, and gives us the opportunity to expand the commitment of Iridium and its partners to support aerospace innovation."

A designated group of AIAA Foundation education committee members will select four scholarship winners based on a set of academic and objective criteria. The top applicant will receive a $25,000 scholarship to be used for an educational program in the areas of science, technology, engineering or mathematics, with a focus in aerospace. To be considered for the Iridium NEXT Mission Team Scholarship, each applicant must submit a completed application form, two letters of recommendation, a biography and a personal essay. The deadline for submissions is May 15, 2012.

To learn more about eligibility requirements please visit https://www.aiaa.org/NEXT.  

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

About the AIAA Foundation

The AIAA Foundation, the education division of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) ignites interest in science and technology through STEM K-12 education programs, prepares students for the workforce with scholarships and student conferences, promotes professional achievement via our Honors and Awards Programs for industry professionals and educators, and fosters innovation through competitions that push the envelope of current technologies.  

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. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the development and deployment of the Iridium NEXT system. Other 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 the health, capacity and content of Iridium's current satellite constellation and the development of and transition to Iridium NEXT, 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-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 6, 2012. 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 Contacts:

         

         Ashley Eames

         Iridium Communications Inc.

         +1 (703) 287-7476

         ashley.eames@iridium.com