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iPhone Drop Test from Space: RHINOSHIELDs World Record Attempt
- Sent Into Space
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
It’s been a busy few months here at Sent Into Space, and we’re finally ready to reveal all. We’ve been diligently working hand in hand with the team from RHINOSHIELD to answer a very important question: could an AirX case protect an iPhone from a space grade drop test? Once in a while a truly special project comes along, and this one certainly fits the bill. So, stick around as we take a deep dive into how this drop test from space was achieved.
Sworn to protect
Let’s start from the beginning. RHINOSHIELD is a titan of the mobile phone accessories sector and was among the first to develop commercial high-impact protective cases. Over the intervening decade, they have continued to push the limits of what’s possible, developing proprietary materials and innovative case designs that offer military-grade protection against scratching, denting and chipping.
It’s what’s inside that counts
That’s only half of the story, though. While a phone may look intact after a fall, the shock – or multiple shocks from repeated smaller impacts – can lead to internal failures such as solder cracks and component misalignment. So, after mastering the art of external protection, the brand turned its attention to safeguarding a phone’s delicate internals. Rather surprisingly, RHINOSHIELD looked to the automotive industry for a solution, taking inspiration from airbag technology designed to protect passengers during a crash.
The AirX
After 100 different prototypes, the brainy RHINOSHIELD engineers came up with the innovative AirX case, which incorporates proprietary ShockSpread material and embedded air cushions to dissipate kinetic energy by spreading an impact over a longer time period. The case’s internal ribs redirect energy sideways – away from fragile components – and the overall structure is tuned to dissipate forces across varying impact angles. The result? An 81% impact reduction compared to standard ruggedised cases … not bad!
Taking protection to new heights
AirX has been comprehensively lab tested and is rated for drops of up to 11 feet. However, the RHINOSHIELD engineers were so confident in the case’s protective credentials that they got in touch to put it to the ultimate test: dropping an AirX-clad iPhone all the way from space! Not only that but they also wanted to undertake a Guinness World Record attempt in the process. Luckily for them, this wasn’t our first record-breaking rodeo, so we assembled the tech team and started work on one of our most ambitious projects yet.
Good things come in fours?
The first task was to design a number of discrete payload units, each comprising an AirX-clad iPhone 17 Pro, a camera to record the descent, and a tracker to locate the handset once it makes landfall. This multi-payload approach would allow several record attempts to be made during a single flight.
The next step was to design a bespoke release mechanism capable of automatically triggering via an altimeter reading, enabling the payloads to be dropped from pre-determined altitudes. A few test flights later and the craft was ready to go, complete with four deployable payload units. Now to decide on a launch site…
Launch location
The twist in the tail of the spaceborne phone-drop concept is that it’s actually illegal to attempt within 99.99% of global airspace and only permitted inside a handful of specialised areas. Fortunately, one of our regular international launch sites – Esrange Space Centre in Sweden – is one of them. This 5,600 km2 public exclusion zone is the largest of its kind in Europe, making it the perfect location for our high-altitude drop test.
The record attempt
The big day arrived, and the launch team gathered at Esrange under the watchful eyes of a swarm of mosquitos and a near 24-hour sun. The Sent Into Space engineers completed a long list of pre-flight payload checks before attaching the vehicle to a pre-filled stratospheric balloon. After a final countdown, they released the RHINOSHIELD spacecraft into the air and watched as it ascended through the clouds on its way to the targeted drop altitude.
Into the wild
There was no time to stand and admire the view; the team hurried into a waiting helicopter and raced towards the anticipated landing zone. After a windswept landing and a frantic search, the team uncovered the phone in the Swedish wilderness. What’s more is that it was in seemingly perfect condition thanks to its AirX bodyguard! The only questions that remained were: did the phone still work, and had RHINOSHIELD done enough to secure an official Guinness World Record? We couldn’t possibly say. You’ll have to check out the video for yourself to find out…
FAQs
Who is RHINOSHIELD?
RHINOSHIELD is a Taiwanese mobile accessory company that manufactures eco-friendly protective cases for phones and other technologies.
Did RHINOSHIELD really drop a phone from space?
Yes, it partnered with the world’s leading high-altitude launch provider, Sent Into Space, and used a bespoke spacecraft to drop an iPhone 17 Pro in a RHINOSHIELD AirX case all the way from space.
What altitude did RHINOSHIELD drop the phone from?
The AirX-clad phone was released from an altitude of 30,607 m metres above the Earth.
Did the phone survive?
Yes, the phone survived its fall from space, with the RHINOSHIELD AirX case dissipating the impact forces and preventing damage to both the exterior and interior of the iPhone 17 Pro.
Was the phone drop test a Guinness World Record?
It was! RHINOSHIELD and Sent Into Space received an official Guinness World Record for The Highest Drop of a Mobile Phone in a Phone Case (Natural Landforms).
