This New Watch Is Being Purpose-Built for Space Exploration—and It’s Not an Omega

When you think Searches in space and ClockA name comes to mind immediately: Omega. Since it is Speedmaster Was chosen by the chronograph Nasal Half a century ago it became synonymous with space travel. The 13-second engine burning time for saving Apollo 13 made its role in space history and not even an opportunity to deepen Omega Partnership, formally from its naming Mood Creating the limited version of endless memorable (though it is not in any way but it is the only clock Leaving our planet.)

Now, with Private spaceflight Missions to extend and operated on the moon Back to NASA’s agendaA California start-up wants to establish a new value for the Start-Up Space watch. Barrelhand, whose clocks attract 3D printing and materials in the science of science, say it is that it is Monolith The only watch will be built for space exploration.

“Space Founder Karel Bachand said, “The most rigid environment we moved in,” there was no equipment for it when we first did it 50 years ago. NASA barely tried to look for off-shelf clocks that were best available. When the speedmaster was selected it was never designed to keep the place in mind, it only happened to pass the tests more than others. There was still plenty of places for improvement. “

Bachand says that even during the exam, NASA engineers flagged that the accuracy of the speedmaster suffered under extreme temperature or acceleration and other familiar problems. Bachand said, “The loom was closed, or the strap was bound to the moon’s dust, because it was Velcr. There are plenty of opportunities for improvement, but in the last 5 years, no innovation for such original tools that are for life or death in space search.”

Omega used to say that its speedmaster Skywalker X -33 The model, which has been tested for space use by the European Space Agency and is eligible, is the modern answer to the speedmaster. However, there are some errors – for example, it is not certified for Eva (extra vehicles).

Bachand says “X -1 was a great step”, but the electronics on the board were rated only for intra -Vehicular activities. The liquid crystal display will basically become a frost on a spacewalk. You need mechanical performance; Something that all other systems fail can keep track of time. “

Quartz clocks like X -1 will also be risky for higher level radiation in the outer space, which can damage various electronic ingredients. There is no such hassle of a mechanical watch, but it is necessary to work in a more extreme range than any temperature on earth.