KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- When the Space Shuttle program returns to flight this summer, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Mission Command and Telemetry Network - recently upgraded by Nortel* [NYSE/TSX: NT] - will enable critical information and data to be shared between the Space Shuttle Discovery, the International Space Station, and NASA operations centers.

NASA’s critical data is transmitted across a U.S. and international network of Nortel backbone routers. To support the Space Shuttle, this network is operational 24 hours a day to ensure there is no interruption to the flow of vital information. The same network also supports the Mars Rover, the Hubble Telescope, and other NASA programs.

“Nortel PEC* Solutions* is expert at building highly reliable networks,” said Chuck Saffell, president, Nortel Federal Solutions. “It’s simply a part of our DNA. We are very proud to have the opportunity to apply our expertise to help support NASA’s return to shuttle flights. Our collaboration with NASA is another example of how Nortel is focused on securing and protecting the world’s most critical information.”

In addition to playing an important role in NASA’s Mission Network, Nortel PEC Solutions has also deployed a Nortel Mobility Solution at Kennedy Space Center, including a Nortel Wireless Mesh Network and an integrated operations support system (OSS) platform provided by Pronto Networks. More than 2,500 journalists expected at the launch will be able to use the network to report on the historic flight.

With this network, reporters on the ground at the six-acre NASA Press Site will have the flexibility to use their wireless-enabled laptops and handheld computing devices to seamlessly and securely access the Internet, e-mail, file sharing and other applications. Designed to deliver user mobility, the Wireless Mesh Network will provide reporters with secure and continuous access to the network while moving throughout the observation area, increasing productivity by allowing them to report on the story in real-time.

“Nortel’s Wireless Mesh Network solution will enable journalists from around the world to report on Space Shuttle Discovery’s historic Return to Flight mission,” said Joseph LaMarca, Jr., communications director for The Boeing* Company in Florida and a member of the Joint Industry Press Center team. “This innovative new technology is something that has been needed at the press site, and we’re very excited to be able to offer this to media from around the world thanks to Nortel’s support.”

Nortel Networks Ltd.