Samsonite Suitcase Survives A 130,000-Foot Fall From Space Entirely Unscathed

Image via Samsonite / PR Newswire

Adventurers could be one step closer to packing their bags for the stratosphere—Samsonite’s latest durability test proves its new Proxis Global Carry-On Spinner is truly out of this world. Teaming up with space marketing agency Sent Into Space, the luggage brand launched the suitcase to the edge of space, all in the name of seeing just how far it can go.

Suspended far above Earth’s atmosphere, the 4.6-pound suitcase soared to 130,000 feet—triple the altitude of typical commercial flights—encountering temperatures as low as -85°F and the harsh vacuum of space before parachuting down to a mountainside near Las Vegas… all without a scratch to show for it. 

This high-flying experiment was designed to showcase the strength of Samsonite’s Roxkin outer shell, known for its lightweight yet resilient construction.

Image via Samsonite / PR Newswire

“At Samsonite, innovation is in our DNA,” explains Nicole Adriance, senior director of brand marketing at Samsonite. Through the experiment, the brand has shown that the Proxis can handle more than just turbulence, “withstanding not only the rigors of Earthbound travel but also the ultimate test—space,” Adriance adds.

The journey began in the Mojave Desert, where a small crowd of space enthusiasts and insiders watched the suitcase lift off into the crystal-clear sky. Using a stratospheric balloon fueled by renewable hydrogen gas, the Proxis ascended to the edge of space while sophisticated tracking systems monitored its expedition.

Image via Samsonite / PR Newswire

“The Proxis was a perfect passenger for our flight,” notes Sent Into Space’s head of projects, Dr Chris Rose. “Incredibly robust, even in the freezing vacuum of space…  but light enough to meet our stringent weight requirements—I’d love to take one on every spaceflight!”

Sent Into Space’s engineering team equipped the craft with satellite and radio communications, allowing real-time position tracking. The descent was controlled by an automated parachute system, while multiple cameras captured the entire experience in high definition.

After its dramatic descent, the Proxis landed without signs of damage, validating the resilience of its outer shell. Its safe return to Earth despite the odds hints the design can handle more than just airport baggage handlers.

[via Travel + Leisure and Travel Pulse, images via Samsonite / PR Newswire]