Company Exhibiting at Sviaz-Expocomm 2010

MCLEAN, Va. and MOSCOW, May 12, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iridium
Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM), the world's only mobile satellite
services (MSS) operator with truly global coverage, announces an
important advancement in its pursuit of regulatory compliance to enter
the Russian Market.

In May 2009, Iridium announced that it formed a company called,
"Iridium Communications Russia, OOO" to pursue a license for providing
MSS services in Russia. For the second year, Iridium is exhibiting at
Sviaz-Expocomm, Russia's largest telecommunications industry trade show
in Moscow, May 11-15. In April 2010, the Russian Government Commission
Expert Opinion approved Iridium's entry in to the Russian market.

The Iridium low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellite constellation covers the
entire planet and provides services where no other means of
communication exist. Iridium sees an opportunity to provide an
essential service in Russia, particularly given the extensive, open
land masses without telecommunications infrastructure in the country,
in addition to Russia's harsh climates and northern sea routes where
only Iridium has coverage. Iridium is the only MSS service that works
in the Arctic Regions, which is particularly important for maritime
organizations that need to meet government regulatory obligations to
have reliable long-range identification and tracking (LRIT) devices and
distress safety systems on vessels. In addition, aircraft must rely on
flight communications systems for safety while flying Polar routes.

Iridium offers Russian citizens living, working and traveling in rural
territories a reliable telecommunications service in order to stay
connected. The company's services are in demand in market sectors
within Russia such as emergency response, civil government, oil and
gas, mining, rail and internal waterways.

Matt Desch, Iridium CEO said, "We are looking forward to seeing Iridium
become a part of the Russian telecom market - a vibrant market that is
open to the type of innovation Iridium delivers. Strong demand for
Iridium services in Russia has driven and underpinned our efforts in
resuming activities in the country and we continue to work diligently
with the Russian authorities to complete this effort."

At Sviaz-Expocomm 2010, Iridium is showcasing its innovative product
portfolio, including the Iridium 9555(TM) satellite phone; Iridium
OpenPort(R), an enhanced-speed maritime communications service; and the
Iridium 9602(TM) short burst data transceiver that Iridium recently
launched for global asset tracking and monitoring. The Iridium 9602
offers a smaller, lower-cost transceiver than what has been available
on the market and offers the only global, low-latency, two-way
satellite data communications service.

Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center has been a key
Iridium partner since 2001 when the two companies signed a
collaborative agreement to work together to advance the process to make
Iridium services available in Russia. Khrunichev owns an Iridium
gateway and discussions are underway for gateway modernization and
operations.

Iridium also plans to selectively expand its network of more than 200
global distribution partners by adding new service providers in the
Russian market. The company's partner ecosystem expansion plans will
enable delivery of the full portfolio of Iridium products and services
to the Russian market.

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 McLean,
Va., 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).

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 Iridium NEXT. 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 Iridium's ability to offer services in Russia and to expand
its business through the addition of new service providers in the
Russian Market, 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, 2009, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on March 16, 2010. 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.

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:  Iridium Communications Inc.
          Press Contact:
          Marie Knowles
          +1-703-287-7476
          marie.knowles@iridium.com

          Maslov PR
          Press Contact:
          Denis Zhelezniakov
          +7-926-471-77-03
          denis.zhelezniakov@maslov-pr.com