TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 09/18/14 -- To mark the 15th-anniversary of its popular Air Hogs line of toy airplanes, helicopters and rockets, Spin Master sent its iconic Air Hog Vectron Wave for a spin in the stratosphere. To celebrate its first successful trip to near space, Spin Master is sharing extraordinary video footage of the Vectron's unique journey with consumers online and launching an "out-of-this-world" contest, where a family of four can win a four-day trip to Space Camp® in Huntsville, Alabama.
"We know that Air Hogs enthusiasts expect amazing things from our products so the idea of sending a toy UFO into space and bringing it back was perfect," explains James Martin, Vice President of Marketing at Spin Master. "We're excited to now have the opportunity to share this space odyssey through video footage and are providing one family with their own out-of-this-world trip to Space Camp®."
The launch took place in California's Mojave Desert and required months of careful planning in order to execute a safe and successful journey. Taking more than two hours and fuelled by helium-filled weather balloons, the round-trip space adventure ascended to its 19 mile/30km vertical apex at an average ascent speed of 14.1ft/4.3m per second. After bursting at its apex, the Vectron Wave began its safe descent back to earth, with the assistance of a custom-made parachute.
"Our team had this iconic image in mind of the Vectron Wave floating above the earth, but getting it up there was only half the challenge," says Geoff Oliver, Air Hogs Brand Manager and VectronInSpace Launch Commander. "In order to locate the Vectron Wave, the team ran numerous pre-launch simulations, using sophisticated weather models to find optimal launch times and predict landing coordinates. Several different forms of GPS tracking were required throughout the flight and upon landing to pin-point the exact touchdown location."
VectronInSpace Facts and Figures
-- The Vectron Wave reached an altitude of 100,259 ft / 30,559m
-- The project relied on 3D printed parts to build camera mounts and
fixtures to capture the footage
-- A number of GPS technologies were used and were critical to locating the
Vectron Wave upon landing
This initiative was a true team effort, executed by the same Spin Master engineers who develop and design the all Air Hogs toys. To view the footage of the Vectron Wave's voyage into the stratosphere, please visit http://vectron.airhogs.com/ or the Air Hogs YouTube Channel.
Families across the U.S. and Canada will be able to enter the VectronInSpace contest when it launches the week of September 22.
About Air Hogs
Air Hogs is a line of radio-controlled, free-flying, and air-powered toy airplanes, helicopters, rockets, and cars manufactured by Spin Master. Several of Air Hogs toys, especially the remote control models, are designed to be easily flown without any need for assembly.
For 15 years Air Hogs has brought innovation and excitement to the world of RC! Air Hogs gives pilots of all ages and skill levels the opportunity to experience the thrill of flight. We are proud to be celebrating our 15th anniversary in 2014 with the most cutting-edge and diverse line of products our fans have ever seen. For everyone who has enjoyed our products in the past, hang onto your hats, 2014 is going to be a year to remember.
About Spin Master Ltd.:
A multi-category children's entertainment company, Spin Master has been designing, developing, manufacturing, and marketing consumer products for children around the world since 1994 and is recognized as a global growth leader within the toy industry. Spin Master is best known for such popular brands as boy's action phenomena and 2009-2010 Boy's Toy of the Year winner Bakugan Battle Brawlers™, and award-winning brands Air Hogs®, Aquadoodle™, Flutterbye™, Spin Master Games™ including 2014 Game of the Year, Boom Boom Balloon ™ and the popular Hedbanz™, SpyGear™, Tech Deck™, and the 2014 Innovative Toy of the Year Zoomer™. The company has also marked an entry into children's media with the launch of Spin Master Entertainment, a subsidiary focusing on the design, development and production of television and other media properties, including the hit animated preschool series, PAW Patrol™. Spin Master employs over 900 people with offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Mexico City, Munich, and Milan. For additional information please visit: www.spinmaster.com.
Contacts:
Air Hogs Marketing, Spin Master Ltd.
Geoff Oliver
416 364 6002 x 2454
GeoffO@spinmaster.com
