SP-4500 | A speaker worklight in space!

Product testing of the new SP-4500 speaker worklight has been taken to new heights. Quite literally! On the 27^th of July Unilite counted down to lift off and sent it into space! The journey of how it got there required intricate planning, the type that is reminiscent to mission control of Apollo 11.

SP-4500 worklight speaker – Pre flight preparations

One of the initial considerations was its possible threat to aircraft, a large balloon carrying a solid work light is not the ideal obstacle for a jet plane! We then need to make sure there is no risk to built-up areas. This was done with simulations that plotted the different layers of wind and how it would rise through the atmosphere. After these considerations, we had a flight path and it was now time for launch.

The SP-4500 speaker worklight was charged up which would give a 3½ hour run time on its highest setting. It was then fixed onto a custom-built solid exoskeleton frame so that it would be stable during flight. Rather like the solid Tripods they can be fitted onto back on earth! The camera was placed front on and the light of the SP-4500 turned on using the 5-stage dimming switch.

We have lift off!

When lift off came the balloon was inflated and released, with the SP-4500 sitting like a passenger waiting for its fate. As it rose into the sky, temperatures dropped to -60°, which is 20° lower than its tested to back on earth. It would then have to cope with the low pressures of the outer reaches of earth’s atmosphere. Thankfully Unilite builds its lights tough, so this would not be an issue and would prove its superior design and build quality.

A view that is out of this world!

When it reaches the summit of its climb it hovers over earth, pausing to take in the amazing view. Earth looks so small from here, like a gassy soft ball. The light is still on and is gripping the platform tight. When the balloon bursts there is a moment of panic as it starts to hurtle back towards earth at speeds of 250 mph! After a few seconds the parachute deploys which controls and soften the descent.

It is then just a case of tracking it as it floats back down to earth. We did not need to worry about rainwater as it descends as its IP65 rating protects against dust and liquids. Like storm chasers, the team scrambles to follow its trajectory as it approaches a field. The impact is firm, but this will not be an issue as the SP-4500 is IK07 shock proof. In fact, it is also 2m impact resistant, however dropping it from space without a parachute might have been pushing it!

Mission success

The team arrives and inspects the landing. The SP-4500 speaker worklight is still working and the light is on! This is the end of the 3-hour long journey; a small step for the SP-4500 but a giant leap for product testing. All of this goes to show that Unilite products are not just tough but are also out of this world!

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