CARPINTERIA, California, October 13 /PRNewswire/ --

A deployable reflector system made by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:
NOC) successfully deployed on-orbit Aug. 28 aboard the Inmarsat 4 F3
satellite.

An image accompanying this release is available at:
http://media.primezone.com/noc

The third in the Inmarsat 4 series, the telecommunications satellite
completes the constellation, providing worldwide coverage for Inmarsat's
Broadband Global Area Network, with the exception of polar regions.

Radio frequency testing has confirmed the reflector fully deployed as
planned with the expected shape and angle. All three Inmarsat 4 spacecraft
utilize nine-meter diameter (30 feet) AstroMesh(TM) unfurlable mesh
reflectors and boom support systems designed and manufactured by Northrop
Grumman's Astro Aerospace business unit.

"This achievement underscores our commitment to reliable,
space-deployable products," said Chris Yamada, general manager of Strategic
Business Units, Northrop Grumman Space Technology. "AstroMesh reflectors are
the only large aperture reflectors with a perfect on-orbit deployment
record."

The reflector is a key part of the antenna system used by the spacecraft
to provide broadband Internet communications. Enabled by the large reflector,
the antenna system's sensitivity allows the use of mobile, laptop-size modems
by users around the world. This recent deployment represents the seventh
consecutive successful AstroMesh on-orbit deployment.

When fully commissioned, Inmarsat 4 F3 will be moved to its permanent
geostationary orbit at 98-degrees west over the Americas. In addition to
three nine-meter reflectors provided to EADS Astrium for the Inmarsat 4
program, Astro Aerospace has created five 12-meter (39 feet) AstroMesh
reflectors for other space organizations.

Astro Aerospace, based in Carpinteria, Calif., is a business unit of
Northrop Grumman Space Technology, a leader in the development of space,
defense and electronics systems. For 50 years, Astro Aerospace has pioneered
the technology of space deployable structures including AstroMesh furlable
antennas and reflectors, truss masts, telescopic booms, storable tubular
extendible members and planar array deployments. It has a 100 percent
on-orbit deployment success rate on hundreds of flight-specific deployable
units.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense and technology company
whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions
in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to
government and commercial customers worldwide.

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