Samsung literally took the 'Galaxy' to new heights by sending four Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphones into space on a stratospheric balloon to capture photos beyond Earth.
©Samsung | Galaxy S24 Ultra floating and capturing images
New Horizons Captured by Smartphone
This project involved attaching the latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, to a lightweight carbon fiber protective cage, which was then floated into space using a hydrogen-filled balloon.
©Samsung | Filling with hydrogen
Four identical protective cages were launched on their journey to the stratosphere.
Capturing Four Different American Horizons
Each device launched a stratospheric balloon from four different locations: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the Grand Canyon. These locations were chosen to test the capabilities of the Galaxy S24 Ultra and capture various landscapes. As a result, over 150 high-resolution photos of the American West were taken and safely returned.
©Samsung | Captured photos
From Shooting to Recovery
The entire process from launch to capturing images took less than a week. The four Galaxy S24 Ultra devices were launched between January 25 and January 31, 2024, capturing photos at various focal lengths, including wide-angle, 5x zoom, and the main camera.
©Samsung | Captured photos
To return the devices to Earth, hydrogen gas was released from the balloons, and parachutes were deployed to bring them back at a gentle speed of about 8 km/h. The falling devices were tracked, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra was safely retrieved from the protective cages.
This ambitious project showcases the blend of science and technology to capture unseen beautiful landscapes of our planet. From the debut of the first Galaxy in 2010, it's a remarkable technological advancement that we can now send smartphones to the edge of space, a feat unimaginable just a few years ago.
Cover image ©Samsung
