Race launch director Clive Bailey said although the balloons were "very safe" there was always a risk.

BBC: Gordon Bennett balloon race competitors lift off

"We made a call that surprised some folks, " said launch director Mike Leinbach.

BBC: NEWS | Science/Nature | Atlantis is locked down for storm

"We could launch ourselves, " said Esmond Kensington, a non-executive director of Revolymer, estimating that the product could be available in early 2009.

FORBES: Magazine Article

As part of the wide-ranging news conference, the intelligence director also said the world understands "the game" North Korea is playing in claiming it plans to launch a satellite next month.

CNN: Obama adviser: Intel lacking in Afghanistan

"Achieving FIPS certification for an entirely new platform in a very short period of time, and before launch, is quite remarkable and a testament to the dedication of our security team, " said David MacFarlane, Director, Security Certifications at RIM.

ENGADGET: That's an affirmative on BlackBerry 10 security certification, sir