KFC and World View have partnered to launch the Zinger chicken sandwich to the edge of space and then bring it back, along with some telemetry data. Pushing the boundaries of space exploration and fried chicken technology, the mission will be the longest controlled stratospheric balloon flight with a commercial payload in history and the first-ever multi-day mission of the World View Stratollite flight system. Unlike typical high-altitude balloons, Stratollites can execute a variety of flight profiles (from circumnavigating the Earth to persistence over a specific location) and maintain position over specific areas of interest for days, weeks, and eventually months on end. The Zinger Stratollite launch window opens on June 21.
Representing enormous untapped potential, Stratollites could serve as stationary Wi-Fi hubs in remote or undeveloped areas that may not have existing internet access, or monitor ongoing crisis situations from a previously inaccessible vantage point. Future flights could be used for disaster preparedness and response – from predicting weather events days in advance, to monitoring ongoing or quickly arising weather and disaster events (for example, forest fire detection) – ultimately assisting first responders with rapid communications and surveying capabilities.
Kevin Hochman, KFC US president, said: “We’re excited to be the ones pushing spicy, crispy chicken sandwich space travel forward. But in all seriousness, we’re proud to support World View’s commitment to advancing space research and trust them to take our world famous Zinger sandwich to space.” Taber MacCallum, World View co-founder and chief technology officer, added: “The Stratollite was created to deliver meaningful access to space for all. This mission offers edge-of-space access to KFC, allowing them to embark upon a one-of-a-kind marketing experiment, while we get to pursue our maiden multi-day Stratollite shakedown cruise and open unprecedented access to the stratosphere. It’s a double win.”
In April, Mission Commander Colonel Sanders (played by actor Robe Lowe) announced the arrival of the KFC Zinger in the US as an individual sandwich or as a $5 Fill Up combo meal. The world famous sandwich is available in more than 120 countries, and now available in space for a limited time. The space mission campaign was conceived by Wieden+Kennedy, with support from MediaMonks, Mediavest Spark, and Edelman. Watch the flight unfold live in real time at www.yesweareactuallysendingachickensandwichto.space.
