BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Iridium(R) Satellite LLC announces plans to open a new telemetry, tracking and command/control (TTAC) earth station in Norway. The TTAC opening is part of a continuous improvement plan to enhance Iridium's industry-leading constellation reliability and global mobile satellite communications service quality.

Expected to open in the third quarter of 2007, the Iridium TTAC facility will be located in Svalbard, Norway under an agreement with Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT). KSAT, the owner and operator of the KSA Svalbard Satellite station (SvalSat), the world's largest ground station dedicated to supporting polar orbiting satellites, will provide operations and maintenance support for the site. Initially, it will include two Iridium dedicated tracking command transmission and data reception antennas. Iridium expects to add up to three additional antennas at a later date.

"The new TTAC site in Norway is the latest step in our ongoing program of ensuring peak performance for our fully meshed network of cross-linked satellites at all times," said Matt Desch, chairman and CEO, Iridium Satellite. "This will enable us to continue our unmatched record of dependable worldwide connectivity."

"We are pleased to host Iridium's TTAC facilities at our Svalbard site," said Rolf Skatteboe, president of KSAT. "This is a very good demonstration of how other satellite operators can take advantage of our Svalbard ground station services."

The new TTAC earth station will augment visibility and access to Iridium's satellite constellation. It also will add to Iridium's command and control capabilities, and provide remote access to the satellites from Iridium's existing gateways.

About Iridium Satellite

Iridium Satellite LLC (http://www.iridium.com/) is the only provider of truly global satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions). Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. The Iridium constellation consists of 66 low- earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites and has multiple in-orbit spares. The constellation operates as a fully meshed network and is the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world. The Iridium service is ideally suited for industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, transportation and utilities. Iridium provides service to the U.S. Department of Defense. The company also designs, builds and sells its services, products and solutions through a worldwide network of more than 100 partners.

About KSAT

Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) is the world's leading provider of ground station services. Out of its main office in Tromso, Norway, more than 20 full-motion tracking antennas are operated in four different locations: Tromso, Svalbard, Grimstad and Antarctica. The KSAT Svalbard site is the only ground station offering full coverage of the 14 daily passes of polar orbiting satellites. The pole-to-pole concept offers integrated and cost-efficient operation from both poles, ideally suited for environmental and meteorological satellites.

CONTACT: Liz DeCastro of Iridium Satellite LLC, +1-301-571-6257,
liz.decastro@iridium.com; Jim Rhodes of Rhodes Communications, Inc.,
+1-757-451-0602, jrhodes@rhodescomm.com, for Iridium Satellite LLC; or Rolf
Skatteboe of Kongsberg Satellite Services, +4791198985,
rolf.skatteboe@ksat.no

Web site: http://www.iridium.com/