Exploring Space with a Samsung Smartphone | Release #66

True to the name “Galaxy,” Samsung sent four Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphones into the stratosphere, mounting them on high-altitude balloons to capture photographs beyond the confines of Earth.

This project involved attaching the latest flagship Galaxy S24 Ultra to a lightweight carbon fiber protective cage, which was then lifted into space by a hydrogen-filled balloon.

Four identical protective cages were each launched on their own journey to the stratosphere.

Each device was launched from a different location: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the Grand Canyon. These sites were chosen to test the capabilities of the Galaxy S24 Ultra and to capture a variety of landscapes. In total, over 150 high-resolution photographs of the American West were taken and safely returned to Earth.

The entire process, from launch to capturing the images, took less than a week. The four Galaxy S24 Ultra units were launched between January 25 and January 31, 2024, capturing images at various focal lengths, including wide-angle, 5x zoom, and the main camera.

To return the devices to Earth, hydrogen gas was released from the balloons and parachutes were deployed, allowing for a gentle descent at approximately 8 km/h. The position of the falling units was tracked, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphones were safely retrieved from their protective cages.

This ambitious project exemplifies the synergy of science and technology, harnessing cutting-edge innovation to capture the planet’s unseen beauty. Fourteen years have passed since the first Galaxy was introduced in 2010. What once seemed unimaginable just a few years ago—sending a smartphone to the edge of space—has now become a reality, marking a remarkable leap in technological advancement.

Cover image ©Samsung