When you think Of space exploration and watches, a name immediately. It comes to mind: Omega. Since its speedmaster Kamlograph was selected half a century ago, it has become synonymous with space travel. The burning of the 13 -second engine to save Apollo 13 strengthened its role in space history, and Omega did not waste the same opportunity to deepen the partnership, officially made its name to Moon Watch until making an endless commemoration limited edition (even if it was left by any clock).
Now, NASA’s agenda wants to set a new standard for a California start -up space watches, with private space flight spread and missions on the moon. The barrel hand, whose watches specializes in 3D printing and material science, says its solidarity will be the only watch for space search.
Founder Kerala Bachind says, “The place is the hardest environment in which we have never gone.” “When we did this for the first time 50 years ago, there were no tools for it. NASA just tried to find the shelf watches that were best available. When the speedmaster was selected, it was never kept in mind, it was just to pass a better test than others. There was still enough space for improvement.”
Even during the test, NASA engineers flagged that the accuracy of the speedmaster was tolerated under extreme temperatures or acceleration, and there were other famous problems, Bachind said. Bachind says, “Lumi was flavored,” or the strap was standing with the dust of the moon, because it is Velcro. There have been many opportunities for improvement, but in the last 50 years, there has been no innovation for such a key device, which is life or death in search of space. “
Omega will say that its speedmaster Sky Walker X-33 model, which has been tested and qualified for use in space by the European Space Agency, is a modern response to the speedmaster. But there are some shortcomings example, for example, it is not certified for EVA (additional vehicle activity).
“X-33 was a big step”, but due to the electronics on the board, only for the use of intra-vehicle activity, Bachind said. The liquid crystal display will essentially frozen on the space walk. You need mechanical performance. When some other systems fail, time can be detected. “
There will also be a high level of radiation in quartz watches such as X-33, which can damage various electronic components. The mechanical clock has no such problem, but it needs to be able to work to a much higher temperature extent on the ground.
