Additionally, Ball Aerospace will advise Thales Alenia Space on possible hosted secondary payload opportunities to serve the needs of a variety of defense and civil missions.

"Ball Aerospace brings nearly five decades of space segment payload integration and test experience to the Thales offering," said David L. Taylor, president and CEO of Ball Aerospace. "Together, Thales and Ball Aerospace are a formidable team in the competition to provide the next generation Iridium system."

"Thales Alenia Space confirms the addition of Ball Aerospace to the Iridium NEXT team. They are the last link in the value chain to Iridium and will provide both the quality and dedication required to build this challenging NEXT constellation," said Emmanuel Grave, Executive Vice President Telecommunication of Thales Alenia Space.

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions of important national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications.

Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) is a supplier of high-quality metal and plastic packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2008 sales of approximately $7.6 billion.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.2 in our Form 10-K, which are available at our Web site and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect our packaging segments include fluctuation in product demand and preferences; availability and cost of raw materials; competitive packaging availability, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve anticipated productivity improvements or production cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; and changes in foreign exchange rates or tax rates. Factors that might affect our aerospace segment include: funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. Factors that might affect the company as a whole include those listed plus: accounting changes; changes in senior management; the current global recession and its effects on liquidity, credit risk, asset values and the economy; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions, joint ventures or divestitures; integration of recently acquired businesses; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including in respect of climate change, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; governmental investigations; technological developments and innovations; goodwill impairment; antitrust, patent and other litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return projected and earned on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and changes to unaudited results due to statutory audits or other effects.

SOURCE Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.

http://www.ballaerospace.com

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.

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: Iridium Communications Inc.

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

Leveraging advanced services and technology from Alcatel-Lucent and Thales, the solution ensured the sound performance of the critical new metro line that transported four million passengers from October 1st to 7th during the Chinese National Day holidays," said TM Lee, deputy general manager of Beijing MTR Corporation Limited.

Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell has been responsible for network integration service and deployment of this multi-vendor solution. Thales' industry-leading signaling SelTrac CBTC system provides fully automated central control and optimizes safe operation of trains with shorter headway. These features allow high capacity for service frequency and efficiency, as well as flexible fleet operations. Operating data is transmitted between train and track-side equipment via an open-standards radio and WLAN system. Moreover, compared to conventional signaling systems, the CBTC system deployed by the consortium significantly reduces life-cycle costs.

"Following our successful projects for mass transit in Shanghai, Wuhan and Guangzhou, this new deployment, engineering service for the Beijing metro line 4 marks a new achievement," said Olivia Qiu, president of Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell and Alcatel-Lucent in East Asia. "The successful operation of the new metro line further highlights our expertise in serving the urban rail industry and strengthens our positions in the transport market in China."

Alcatel-Lucent and Thales have been selected by Shanghai, Beijing, Wuhan and Guangzhou, the major Chinese cities to provide turnkey signaling solutions for their metro projects. Alcatel-Lucent is the network integrator of choice for carriers and enterprises seeking to solve complex communications challenges. Thales is a worldwide leader in the supply of fully automated train control and communications solutions.

Related links:

Wuhan and Guangzhou cities select Alcatel-Lucent and Thales to enhance speed, safety and reliability of metro systems

Alcatel-Lucent and Thales awarded two contracts for the Northern section of Shanghai's longest train line

Alcatel-Lucent partners with Thales to expand Turkish Railways' high-speed signalling network

Seoul Metro selects Alcatel-Lucent for service-enhancing IP network transformation

Sweden's national rail administration Banverket relies on innovations from Alcatel-Lucent to help ensure the safety and smooth operation of rail traffic

Contract signed for railway infrastructure project for Switzerland's Gotthard Base Tunnel

About Alcatel-Lucent

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is the trusted partner of service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, providing solutions to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. A leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications and services, Alcatel-Lucent leverages the unrivalled technical and scientific expertise of Bell Labs, one of the largest innovation powerhouses in the communications industry. With operations in more than 130 countries and the most experienced global services organization in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with a global reach. Alcatel-Lucent achieved revenues of Euro 16.98 billion in 2008 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris. For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on the Internet: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

Alcatel-Lucent Press Contacts

+-----------------------------+----------------------------+------------------------------------------------+
|        Peter Benedict       |  Tel: + 33 (0)1 40 76 50 84|           pbenedict@alcatel-lucent.com         |
+-----------------------------+----------------------------+------------------------------------------------+
|  Laurent Dunoyer de Segonzac|  Tel: + 33 (0)1 40 76 15 04|  laurent.dunoyer_de_segonzac@alcatel-lucent.com|
+-----------------------------+----------------------------+------------------------------------------------+

Alcatel-Lucent Investor Relations

+----------------+----------------------------+---------------------------------+
|   Rémi Thomas  |  Tel: + 33 (0)1 40 76 50 61|  remi.thomas@alcatel-lucent.com |
+----------------+----------------------------+---------------------------------+
|  Tom Bevilacqua|       Tel: + 1 908-582-7998|   bevilacqua@alcatel-lucent.com |
+----------------+----------------------------+---------------------------------+
|  Tony Lucido   |  Tel: + 33 (0)1 40 76 49 80|       alucido@alcatel-lucent.com|
+----------------+----------------------------+---------------------------------+
|  Don Sweeney   |       Tel: + 1 908 582 6153|      dsweeney@alcatel-lucent.com|
+----------------+----------------------------+---------------------------------+

Copyright Hugin

Information réglementée : Type : Nouvelle information Thème(s): Communiqués au titre de l'obligation d'information permanente - Autres communiqués

This announcement is originally distributed by Hugin. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

[CN#159537]

Leveraging advanced services and technology from Alcatel-Lucent and Thales, the solution ensured the sound performance of the critical new metro line that transported four million passengers from October 1st to 7th during the Chinese National Day holidays,' said TM Lee, deputy general manager of Beijing MTR Corporation Limited.

Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell has been responsible for network integration service and deployment of this multi-vendor solution. Thales' industry-leading signaling SelTrac CBTC system provides fully automated central control and optimizes safe operation of trains with shorter headway. These features allow high capacity for service frequency and efficiency, as well as flexible fleet operations. Operating data is transmitted between train and track-side equipment via an open-standards radio and WLAN system. Moreover, compared to conventional signaling systems, the CBTC system deployed by the consortium significantly reduces life-cycle costs.

'Following our successful projects for mass transit in Shanghai, Wuhan and Guangzhou, this new deployment, engineering service for the Beijing metro line 4 marks a new achievement,' said Olivia Qiu, president of Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell and Alcatel-Lucent in East Asia. 'The successful operation of the new metro line further highlights our expertise in serving the urban rail industry and strengthens our positions in the transport market in China.'

Alcatel-Lucent and Thales have been selected by Shanghai, Beijing, Wuhan and Guangzhou, the major Chinese cities to provide turnkey signaling solutions for their metro projects. Alcatel-Lucent is the network integrator of choice for carriers and enterprises seeking to solve complex communications challenges. Thales is a worldwide leader in the supply of fully automated train control and communications solutions.

Related links:

Wuhan and Guangzhou cities select Alcatel-Lucent and Thales to enhance speed, safety and reliability of metro systems

Alcatel-Lucent and Thales awarded two contracts for the Northern section of Shanghai's longest train line

Alcatel-Lucent partners with Thales to expand Turkish Railways' high-speed signalling network

Seoul Metro selects Alcatel-Lucent for service-enhancing IP network transformation

Sweden's national rail administration Banverket relies on innovations from Alcatel-Lucent to help ensure the safety and smooth operation of rail traffic

Contract signed for railway infrastructure project for Switzerland's Gotthard Base Tunnel

About Alcatel-Lucent

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is the trusted partner of service providers, enterprises and governments worldwide, providing solutions to deliver voice, data and video communication services to end-users. A leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications and services, Alcatel-Lucent leverages the unrivalled technical and scientific expertise of Bell Labs, one of the largest innovation powerhouses in the communications industry. With operations in more than 130 countries and the most experienced global services organization in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with a global reach. Alcatel-Lucent achieved revenues of Euro 16.98 billion in 2008 and is incorporated in France, with executive offices located in Paris.

CONTACT: Press Office, Alcatel-Lucent e-mail: press@alcatel-lucent.com WWW: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com.