Here's my take on this...
Assuming Mide's statement of having already reached the stratosphere is true, the statement Globetel released can still be accurate. There are 3 phases that need to be accomplished.
1. Reach the stratosphere
2. Operate there (for extended periods of time)
3. Return from the stratosphere
Sanswire/TAO could and probably has already completed steps 1 and 3, and is continuing to work on step 2. This wouldn't preclude them from releasing the statement they put out, and it also wouldn't invalidate Mide's statement of already having reached that altitude and returned successfully.
In my view, step 2 is now the critical component they have to prove, and most of us who have followed this company have known that would be the most difficult problem for them to overcome.
...and on the 7th day, God turned off his Macintosh.
...and on the 7th day, God turned off his Macintosh.