Global Satellite Company Teams With Service Partners to
        Provide Vital Safety Lifeline for Mushers, Dogs and
                            Volunteers

BETHESDA, Md., March 4, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iridium Communications
Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM) is teaming with its service partners, SatCom Global
(Americas) and IonEarth, to provide satellite voice and data services
for the Iditarod(R) Sled Dog Race, which begins March 5 in Anchorage,
Alaska.

IonEarth is equipping each of the participating sleds with a
lightweight battery-powered GPS tracking device, which will transmit
the sled's location, speed, heading, altitude and air temperature every
15 minutes through the Iridium satellite network to provide a vital
safety communications lifeline for the race's mushers, dogs and
volunteers. Race officials and fans can view the latest position and
status of each competitor on a 3-D map on the Iditarod Website
(www.iditarod.com). This not only comes in handy for race monitoring,
but also because it allows for a regular stream of data on the racers
and sled dogs. The racers themselves will not be able to view the data
from the trackers in the field, preserving the tradition of
self-sufficiency and independence in competing against each other and
fighting the elements.

SatCom Global (Americas) is deploying 55 Iridium satellite phones which
will be used by race officials and volunteers during the race.

The Iditarod trail, which snakes across more than 1,000 miles through
the Alaskan wilderness from Anchorage to Nome, covers some of the
world's harshest terrain. Most of the route -- particularly through the
center of Alaska -- is not covered by terrestrial landlines, cellular
networks or other satellite communication services.

"Iridium is the only satellite system providing reliable coverage in
all of Alaska," said Stan Hooley, executive director of the Iditarod
Trail Committee (ITC). "The Iridium tracking devices and phone handsets
will again provide a critical safety lifeline for mushers, dogs,
veterinarians, medics, media, bush pilots and volunteers who man the
isolated checkpoints along the trail."

"This is the second year ITC is requiring our satellite tracking
devices as mandatory safety equipment on all sleds competing in the
Iditarod," said Jerry Miller, president of IonEarth. "For the 2010
race, we are introducing new features, such as a 'Race at a Glance'
iPhone(R) application enabling fans to follow the racers from the palms
of their hands. Also new this year is a live replay capability that
lets viewers turn the clock back to any point in the race."

"Organizations and individuals who live, work and travel in Alaska have
learned to rely on Iridium satellite phones as their critical
communication lifeline to the outside world," said Teri Petram,
director of sales and marketing, SatCom Global (Americas). "Iridium is
the only choice when it comes to reliable communication in the large
portions of Alaska's frontier regions beyond the reach of cellular
networks. There are no alternatives."

Greg Ewert, executive vice president of global distribution channels
for Iridium, observed that the satellite data technology employed in
IonEarth's devices is also being deployed for tracking remote assets
all around the world. "Mobile data is Iridium's fastest growing
business area," he said. "Every day, our satellite network is being
used to track vehicles, aircraft, shipping containers, construction
equipment, supplies and individuals globally."

About Iridium Communications Inc.

Iridium Communications Inc. (www.iridium.com) is the only mobile
satellite service (MSS) company offering coverage over the entire
globe. The Iridium constellation of low-earth orbiting (LEO)
cross-linked satellites provides critical voice and data services for
areas not served by terrestrial communication networks. Iridium serves
commercial markets through a worldwide network of distributors, and
provides services to the U.S. Department of Defense and other U.S. and
international government agencies. The Company's customers represent a
broad spectrum of industry, including maritime, aeronautical,
government/defense, public safety, utilities, oil/gas, mining,
forestry, heavy equipment and transportation. Iridium has launched a
major development program for its next-generation satellite
constellation, Iridium NEXT. The company is headquartered in Bethesda,
Md., U.S.A. and trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the ticker
symbols IRDM (common stock), IRDMW ($7.00 warrants), IRDMZ ($11.50
warrants) and IRDMU (units).

About IonEarth

IonEarth (www.ionearth.com), an Iridium value-added reseller, provides
real-time tracking and logistics support for a wide range of sporting
events, including long-distance off-road and sailing races, as well as
expeditions in the remote regions of the world. The company is based in
Traverse City, Mich.

About SatCom Global

SatCom Global (www.satcomglobal.com), a member of SatCom Group, is an
Iridium value-added reseller and service provider. SatCom Global
supplies reliable satellite communications equipment and airtime
throughout an international network of service providers and dealers.

About Iditarod

The Iditarod Sled Dog Race (www.iditarod.com), billed as the "Last
Great Race on Earth," runs from Anchorage, in south central Alaska, to
Nome on the western Bering Sea. The racers will cover almost 1,000
miles in 10-17 days. The iconic competition pays homage to the mushers
who, in 1925, raced across the Alaskan wilderness to deliver needed
diphtheria serum to Nome via the Iditarod Trail mail routes.


CONTACT:  Iridium Communications Inc.
          Marie Knowles
          +1 (301) 571-6279
          marie.knowles@iridium.com

          Rhodes Communications, Inc.
          Jim Rhodes
          +1 (757) 451-0602
          jrhodes@rhodescomm.com