Motorola Completes Three Launches From Three Countries in 13 Days; Adds 14 Satellites to Iridium Constellation; Only Two Launches Remain in Deployment Campaign.

CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 1998--Motorola last night completed its third launch from three countries in 13 days.

This launch aboard a Proton launch vehicle at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan sent seven satellites into orbit for the Iridium(R) System, bringing to 63 the number of operational satellites now in the constellation. Motorola also has successfully tested Iridium System digital voice links, paging signals, satellite crosslinks, and satellite hand-offs without voice link interruption.

"We continue to surpass all records previously set in the space industry," said Durrell Hillis, senior vice president and general manager of the Space and Systems Technology Group. "We've completed 13 of the scheduled 15 launches in the launch campaign, and anticipate deployment of all satellites before May 5, the anniversary of our first launch."

This most recent series of launches included: -0-

                   No. of      Launch
     Date        Satellites    Vehicle              Location

   March 25          2     Long March 2C/SD  Taiyuan Launch Center,
                                              China
   March 29          5         Delta II      Vandenberg Air Force Base
   April 6           7         Proton        Baikonur Cosmodrome
                                              Kazakhstan

There are only two launches remaining in the deployment campaign for the Iridium constellation. Launches for both the Delta II, which carries five satellites; and the Long March 2C/SD, which carries two; are set for late April. Commercial service of the Iridium System is scheduled for late 1998.

The first 10 launches in the campaign were as follows: -0-

                   No. of      Launch
      Date       Satellites    Vehicle              Location

1  May 5, 1997       5         Delta II      Vandenberg Air Force Base
2    June 18         7         Proton        Baikonur Cosmodrome
                                              Kazakhstan
3    July 9          5         Delta II      Vandenberg Air Force Base
4    Aug. 20         5         Delta II      Vandenberg Air Force Base
5   Sept. 13         7         Proton        Baikonur Cosmodrome
                                              Kazakhstan
6   Sept. 26         5         Delta II      Vandenberg Air Force Base
7    Nov. 8          5         Delta II      Vandenberg Air Force Base
8    Dec. 8          2     Long March 2C/SD  Taiyuan Launch Center,
                                              China
9   Dec. 20          5         Delta II      Vandenberg Air Force Base
10  Feb. 18, 1998    5         Delta II      Vandenberg Air Force Base

Motorola's Space and Systems Technology Group (SSTG) is responsible for the research, design, and development of advanced communication and electronic systems for commercial and government customers.

As prime contractor to the Iridium global personal communications system, Motorola SSTG is a leader in satellite communications technology that promises to revolutionize the way the world communicates.

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Motorola SSTG is part of the Cellular Networks and Space Sector of Motorola Inc. (NYSE:MOT), one of the world's leading providers of wireless communications, semiconductors, and advanced electronic systems, components and services. Motorola sales in 1997 were $29.8 billion. -0-

Note to Editors: Iridium(R) is a registered trademark and service mark of Iridium LLC(C) 1998

CONTACT: Motorola Space and Systems Technology Group, Scottsdale

Kathi Haas, 602/732-4018

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www.mot.com/sstg