Samsung has launched 100 SD cards into space, loaded with personal messages from people around the world. This campaign will see the world’s highest paper planes released at 125,000 feet. Each paper plane carries a memory card containing photos, songs, videos and text messages compiled by members of the public. Anyone finding a plane with a memory card attached is encouraged to visit the website below.

Website: Project “Space Planes”

Samsung Press Release

SAMSUNG CONNECTS PEOPLE WITH MESSAGES LAUNCHED FROM SPACE

Samsung SD cards withstand the elements to share personal memories

LONDON, UK – 24 January 2011 - Samsung Electronics UK Ltd has launched 100 SD cards into space, loaded with personal messages from people around the world in a bid to demonstrate the exciting and innovative ways in which technology can be used to capture and share memories.

This unprecedented campaign will see the world’s highest paper planes released at 125,000 feet. Each paper plane carries a memory card packed with memories – from photos and songs to videos – compiled by people from all around the world. Members of the public were invited to upload any interesting information about their lives that they would like to see launched into space on personalised paper planes. Data was selected at random for the launch.  The project aims to reach hundreds of people across Europe, linking complete strangers and sharing experiences.

Anyone finding a plane with a memory card attached is encouraged to visit http://projectspaceplanes.com/ask to become part of this unique project. Each plane will be identified by a unique number which should be entered at the project space planes website, allowing the finder to connect with the person whose message they have found.

The paper planes have been launched from a location near Wolfsburg in Germany using a helium balloon usually used to measure weather conditions, to take them into the Earth’s outer atmosphere. They will then be released by an altimeter-controlled release mechanism and float down to earth. During their flight, the planes and memory cards will endure incredible external forces including winds of up to 200mph or higher in the jet stream and temperatures as low as -40 °C and as high as 85°C.

“By harnessing the power of technology and the elements, Samsung is bringing people together from around the world in a fun and unique campaign, centred on our passion for sharing memories. The fact that each message will have stood the test of powerful natural forces makes it all the more intriguing to see the end results”, says Stefanie Summerfield, Head of Business Development – Memory

“We expect the SD cards to be subjected to a whole range of challenges including impacts, dirt and magnetism so the prospect of finding an SD card at the end of this challenge, will hopefully make this an exciting venture for people from around the world to become a part of.”

Henry Cowling, Creative Director at The Viral Factory, commented “It’s an insanely ambitious attempt to launch a flotilla of paper airplanes across the earth! If we’re successful it will dramatically prove that Samsung’s SD cards can survive some of the toughest conditions on (and off) the earth. And it’s a chance for the internet audience to take part in a new world record and send a message from space.

It was clear that Joel Veitch was the best choice to front Paper Planes, after we saw a video of him attempting to launch a rocket made entirely of bacon, on his site RatherGood.com. The launch spectacularly failed, but we enjoyed his charismatic endeavour!”

To find out more about this unique paper planes project, please visit http://projectspaceplanes.com

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