MILPITAS, Calif., May 20, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today SPOT LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT), announces five-time Space Shuttle Astronaut and SPOT sponsored mountaineer Scott Parazynski made history, becoming the first man to have explored space and stand atop Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth at 29,029 feet (8,848 meters). Scott has been using his SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger(tm) allowing him to send signals updating his locations, staying connected with his team at Base Camp and sharing his experiences on SPOTadventures.com.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6201
Leaving early from Camp IV to stay ahead of the "rush hour," Scott successfully arrived on the summit at 4am local Nepal time on Wednesday May 20, 2009 (6:15pm EDT May 19.) Scott spent approximately thirty minutes on the summit before his descent.
"Congratulations to Scott on his amazing accomplishment today becoming the world's first man to explore outer space and summit Mount Everest," said Tom Colby, COO of Globalstar Inc. and President of SPOT LLC. "As a promoter of science and discovery, it is vital for Scott to have the ability to share his Everest experience. We are proud that SPOTadventures.com and the SPOT Messenger provides him with the power to engage with others from one of the most remote regions on our planet. Scott is a true explorer and we are honored to have him as our brand ambassador."
Scott arrived on Mount Everest's summit during a window of favorable weather. Other climbers that accompanied Scott include fellow members of team IMG(r) (International Mountain Guides) and members of the Singapore Women's Everest Team, the first Singaporean women to reach the world's tallest mountain.
Scott documented his moment on Everest's summit taking a few historical photos, and making satellite phone calls. Scott paid tribute to NASA and Apollo 11 Astronaut Neil Armstrong, carrying with him pieces of moon rock to the summit. The lunar sample was collected by Mr. Armstrong in July 1969 when he became the first human to set foot upon the moon.
Scott's communication team consists of television journalist Miles O'Brien and web journalist Keith Cowing providing support both at Everest Base Camp and back in the U.S. The team is producing original content in hopes to inspire and educate teachers and students around the world drawing the parallels between exploration in space and the physical demands that Everest has on the human body. Content has been updated daily on SPOT Adventures, OnOrbit.com/Everest, http://milesobrien.com, Flickr(r), Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
Scott's Everest expedition is also supporting the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, Autism Speaks(r) and The Explorers Club, an international multidisciplinary professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research and exploration which Scott is a member of.
Watch video of Scott Parazynski on Everest's summit at www.trueslant.com/milesobrien/. All video courtesy of the Discovery Channel.
About Scott Parazynski
Born July 28, 1961, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Scott considers Little Rock, Palo Alto, California, and Evergreen, Colorado to be his hometowns. Married to the former Gail Marie Vozzella. They have two children. Dr. Parazynski has logged over 2500 flight hours in a variety of aircraft. As a mountaineer, he has scaled major mountains in the Alaska Range, the Cascades, the Rockies and the Andes. His summits include Cerro Aconcagua (at 22,841 feet above sea level, the tallest mountain in the world outside of Asia) and 53 of Colorado's peaks over 14,000 feet in altitude. In May of 2008, as a result of a serious back injury, he was forced to turn back at 24,500 feet on a summit bid on Mount Everest.
About SPOT Adventures
SPOT Adventures allows you to share your adventures easily right on the web at www.SPOTadventures.com. Register your SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger(tm) and enjoy the benefits of a new online community. Share tracks, stories, photos and real-time updates of your adventures with friends, family and other SPOT users.
About SPOT LLC.
The SPOT Satellite Messenger, the world's first satellite messenger, uses both the GPS satellite network to determine a customer's location and the SPOT network to transmit that information to friends, family or an emergency service center. SPOT LLC., a subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT), provides lifesaving communications technology that allows users to communicate from remote locations around the globe. Thanks to this affordable, cutting-edge personal safety device, the company offers people peace of mind by allowing customers to notify friends and family of their location and status, and to send for emergency assistance in time of need, completely independent of cellular phone or wireless coverage. For more information on how SPOT LLC. is helping users live to tell about it(sm) -- from disaster preparedness to outdoor adventure purposes -- visit www.findmespot.com.
Notes to Reporters:
High-resolution photos of SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger are available at http://findmespot.com/en/pressroom/. To arrange a media interview with Scott Parazynski or Miles O'Brien, please contact the below media contacts.
Photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.
