Samsonite has decided to put its latest suitcase model to the ultimate drop test to prove once again the durability of the company’s luggage. Already known among travellers for their quality, Samsonite suitcases can now attest they can sustain being dropped from the space.
The premium luggage manufacturer partnered with Sent Into Space, a company specialising in space-themed marketing campaigns and publicity stunts, to send its lightest-ever suitcase, Proxis, to an altitude of over 130,000 feet (40 kilometres). Even though the edge of space is approximated at 100 km above sea level, the Proxis was still high enough at 40 km to see the curvature of the Earth against the pitch-black background of outer space.
The launch took place from Mojave Desert, just outside Las Vegas, and the suitcase, which features Samsonite’s Roxkin outer shell that provides a combination of lightness and strength, returned to Earth fully intact. This feat, the company says, demonstrates its commitment to both durability and forward-thinking design.
Proxis was selected for this space-bound mission, showcasing the brand’s relentless drive to push the boundaries of what’s possible, not just on Earth but beyond.
Samsonite
“At Samsonite, innovation is in our DNA,” said Nicole Adriance, Senior Director of Brand Marketing. “Sending Proxis into space is a bold testament to our century-long commitment to durability and design. This experiment with ‘Sent Into Space’ demonstrates how our case delivers performance under the most challenging conditions, withstanding not only the rigors of Earthbound travel but also the ultimate test—space—exemplifying the remarkable balance we’ve achieved between lightweight design and rugged durability, setting a new standard in the luggage industry.”
The drop test was accomplished using stratospheric balloon technology, leveraging the natural buoyancy of renewable hydrogen gas to lift the suitcase high into the region of Near Space. The one-of-a-kind spacecraft, designed by Sent Into Space engineers, was equipped with a flight computer with satellite and radio communications systems that allowed the team on the ground to track the craft’s position in real-time and recover it swiftly on its return to Earth. A self-deploying parachute system brought the craft down at a safe and controlled speed, while a fleet of 360° and 4K camera systems documented the incredible journey.
“The Proxis was a perfect passenger for our flight,” said Sent Into Space’s Head of Projects, Dr Chris Rose, “Incredibly robust, even in the freezing vacuum of space where the temperature drops below -85°F, but light enough to meet our stringent weight requirements—I’d love to take one on every spaceflight!”
Upon its return to Earth, the suitcase landed completely intact and without a single scratch. The advanced design and durability of its outer shell were put to the ultimate test, enduring the extreme conditions of space travel and the controlled descent through the atmosphere.
