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Style Edit: Omega celebrates 60 years of space exploration with limited edition timepieces and historic reissues of the iconic Speedmaster, inspired by Nasa missions
Style Edit: Omega celebrates 60 years of space exploration with limited edition timepieces and historic reissues of the iconic Speedmaster, inspired by Nasa missions

South China Morning Post

timea day ago

  • Science
  • South China Morning Post

Style Edit: Omega celebrates 60 years of space exploration with limited edition timepieces and historic reissues of the iconic Speedmaster, inspired by Nasa missions

Omega has long been the watchmaker of choice for those with an eye on the stars. The Swiss luxury watch brand's relationship with Nasa stretches back 60 years, to when the US space agency went looking for timepieces suitable for its astronauts to wear, and asked the world's top watchmakers to submit prototypes for some of the most rigorous testing imaginable. Only the Omega Speedmaster passed with flying colours. Now, as these two pioneering organisations mark six decades of collaboration, a host of timepieces celebrate the partnership – and the spirit of daring extraterrestrial exploration. Omega's Speedmaster was the only watch submitted to the US space agency that passed with flying colours. Photo: Nasa Advertisement For those who want to reach for the moon, the Omega Speedmaster Moonphase Meteorite offers the opportunity to wear part of it on your wrist. The moonphase indication at 6 o'clock features two cabochon moons crafted from genuine pieces of moon meteorite, with a background that reflects the position of the stars in the night sky when Apollo 11 made its historic voyage in 1969. The dial is formed from iron meteorite – with a pattern of ribbonlike flecks that are unique to each piece – and coloured with either a black PVD or galvanic grey coating. No watch celebrates the history of lunar exploration more profoundly than the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch, the first timepiece to visit the moon. It's now available with a lacquered white dial, the colour inspired by astronauts' spacesuits and also originally used on the 1969 Alaska I watch, produced as a prototype for Nasa because of its excellent thermal reflectivity. It comes with black detailing and applied indexes, with the Speedmaster name picked out in red. Astronaut Walter Schirra wore an Omega Speedmaster on board the Sigma 7 mission of Nasa's Mercury programme in 1962. Photo: Handout Seven years before Apollo 11, in 1962, an Omega wristwatch had already been to space. Astronaut Walter 'Wally' Schirra wore his own Speedmaster ref. CK2998 on board the Sigma 7 mission of Nasa's Mercury programme, earning the watch the nickname it has kept ever since: the First Omega in Space. Today, it is available in a design that honours the 1959 original but with a state-of-the-art engine at its heart: the Coaxial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861. Reverse of the First Omega in Space. Photo: Handout The first space mission to orbit the moon, Apollo 8, received a fitting tribute half a century later in 2018, when Omega launched the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon. It features a relief map of the heavenly body on its movement's main plate and bridges, with the view seen from Earth on the dial side and the fabled dark side on the reverse. The Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon features a relief map of the moon on the front and back of the watch. Photo: Handout The latest version of this model comes with an even more exquisite relief of the moon, thanks to advanced laser engraving techniques and contrasting surfaces that make the features more pronounced.

Mars Seen Up Close in Stunning World First 60 Years Ago Today
Mars Seen Up Close in Stunning World First 60 Years Ago Today

Yahoo

time2 days ago

  • Science
  • Yahoo

Mars Seen Up Close in Stunning World First 60 Years Ago Today

On 15 July 1965, NASA's Mariner 4 spacecraft made Solar System history. As it flew by Mars, the spacecraft's onboard camera snapped 22 pictures of the planet's surface, sending them back home to Earth – the first-ever close-up photos of Mars obtained by humans, and the very first photos of another planet obtained from a position in deep space. Those images, showing a vast, dry, heavily cratered desert, completely changed our understanding of Mars, and the possibility of life thereon – but also ushered in a bold new era of Solar System planetary science and exploration. Mariner 4 launched on 28 November 1964, and spent nearly eight months making the long, arduous journey to Mars – a spacecraft designed to make a careful study of the red planet, and transmit its observations back to Earth, across millions of miles of space. Related: By the time Mariner 4 made its encounter, Mars and Earth were separated by a distance of around 220 million kilometers (136 million miles), a distance that radio signals could traverse in 12 minutes. The operations team on Earth had to precisely time their commands to the spacecraft 12 minutes ahead of when they wanted it to perform a task, carefully waiting until Mariner 4's optimal position was 12 minutes away. Then, the humans at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Space Flight Operations Center had to wait until each picture had transmitted back across the gulf, a process that took four days. "Now came the moment of truth – had we really obtained pictures? After the six hour delay for the 40,000 pixels (picture elements) to be transmitted the first picture was displayed. But what was that just above the limb? A cloud? Impossible. Everyone knew there weren't clouds on Mars - it must be a crack in the camera lens. Oh, no, another instrument failure. Of course, as it later turned out there really are clouds on Mars," recalled the late Bill Momsen, Mariner 4 engineer, in 2002. "And then the real wonder came – picture after picture showing that the surface was dotted with craters! It appeared uncannily like that of our own Moon, deeply cratered, and unchanged over time. No water, no canals, no life … Although at first great elation gripped the crew at realizing we had really done it, that was tempered by what had been revealed." Those first 22 images covered just one percent of the Martian surface, and it just so happened to be an area that was particularly heavily cratered. As we know now, after decades of orbital observations, Mars has a diverse and fascinating landscape, from volcanic basalt plains to ancient river deltas. Even though we know a lot more now than we knew 60 years ago, we've still only barely scratched the surface of Mars. Little by little, though, its past is slowly coming to light. We know that water once flowed freely across its surface, that volcanism was once rampant and may rumble still deep inside its belly. We know that it has beautiful clouds, and wild storms, and blue sunsets, and dust devils that leave traceries of their paths across the dusty ground. One day, perhaps, we may even find that life was present on Mars after all. NASA Rover Breaks Record For Longest Road Trip on Another Planet NASA Reveals The Closest Images Ever Taken of The Sun Your Next Flight Might Signal Our Existence to Alien Civilizations

2025 YF Life Jr. Astronauts Set to Embark on U.S. Space Exploration Journey
2025 YF Life Jr. Astronauts Set to Embark on U.S. Space Exploration Journey

Yahoo

time2 days ago

  • Science
  • Yahoo

2025 YF Life Jr. Astronauts Set to Embark on U.S. Space Exploration Journey

HONG KONG and MACAU, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The eight exceptional young explorers of the 2025 YF Life Jr. Space Camp Program are ready for their unforgettable nine-day space exploration journey in United States! These Jr. astronauts were selected after a series of intense competition by an esteemed panel of seven influential figures from various fields, including Ms. Candy Chea Shuk-mui, Ten Outstanding Young Persons Awardee and Media Veteran; Prof. Chan Chi Hou, Vice-President (Community Engagement) at City University of Hong Kong; Ir. Dr. Raymond Ho Chung-tai, Hong Kong Deputy to the 10th and 11th National People's Congress of the PRC; Mr. Timothy Ho Man-hung, Curator of the Hong Kong Space Museum; Mr. J. P. Lee, Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce - Hong Kong; Mr. Peter Lui Kin-chuen, President of the Hong Kong Aerospace Society, and Mrs. Mak Ho Siu-kuen, an Occupational Therapist & Senior Child Development Consultant. Organized and fully sponsored by YF Life International Limited (YF Life), the 2025 YF Life Jr. Space Camp Program will take these Jr. Astronauts to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The eight of them, namely Jocelyn Charlotte Beeton, Chan Mick, Chen Tsz Lam, Choi Tsz Ching, Hui Pak Sum, Ng Tsz Shun, Annabel Su and Gabrielle Lily West have completed their preparations and will depart with their parents on July 23. During their nine-day space exploration journey, they will gain hands-on experience in space science, immersing themselves in the charm and mystery of space technology. YF Life Jr. Space Camp Program – 9-Day Space Exploration Mission Jul 23 The 8 Jr. Astronauts, each accompanied by a parent, depart Hong Kong to begin their exciting Space Exploration Mission Jul 24 Get ready for an intensive and exhilarating Space Camp training Jul 25 At the US Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, they ride the "1/6th Moon Gravity Trainer" to experience the virtual reality of walking on the moon; face the challenge of controlling a full-scale space orbiter while executing a simulated "space-shuttle mission"; and learn about aerodynamics. Jul 26 Experience both weightlessness and free movement in space on the Multi-Axis Trainer; confront the challenge of a simulated space-walk, demonstrating how to perform missions outside the space shuttle while in orbit; enjoy an IMAX 3D space movie; and build a working model rocket with their parents. Jul 27 Attend their Space Camp graduation ceremony, at which they will be awarded their certificates. They then embark on the second leg of their space exploration mission, head to Florida Jul 28 The Jr. Astronauts and parents may opt to spend a day visiting the world's largest theme park in Orlando. Jul 29 At the Kennedy Space Center, they have the opportunity to get a close-up view of the launch pads that send space shuttles and payloads to the International Space Station, and to meet and converse with a real-life astronaut. In the evening, YF Life will hold a celebration dinner, commemorating the successful completion of all the mission challenges. Jul 30 Depart Florida for their return flight to Hong Kong. Aug 1 Arrival at Hong Kong International Airport. Mission Accomplished! CONTACT: spacecamp@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE YF Life International Ltd Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data

Shubhanshu Shukla: First Indian astronaut to go to ISS set to return
Shubhanshu Shukla: First Indian astronaut to go to ISS set to return

BBC News

time3 days ago

  • Science
  • BBC News

Shubhanshu Shukla: First Indian astronaut to go to ISS set to return

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who created history by becoming the first Indian ever to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS), is on his way Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission is set to undock from the orbiting laboratory with its four-member crew on Monday and expected to splash down in just under 24 hours. Led by former Nasa veteran Peggy Whitson and piloted by Group Captain Shukla, Ax-4 had arrived at ISS on 26 June. Its crew included Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Captain Shukla is only the second Indian to have gone to space. His trip came 41 years after cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma flew aboard a Russian Soyuz in 1984. Ax-4 - a commercial flight operated by Houston-based private firm Axiom Space - is a collaboration between Nasa, India's space agency Isro, European Space Agency (Esa) and SpaceX. On Monday, ISS posted on X that the Ax-4 crew had taken their places in the spacecraft, its hatches had been closed and it was preparing to undock from the station at 07:05 ET (11:05 GMT; 16:35 India time).Indian Science Minister Jitendra Singh has said the craft's splash down is scheduled for 15 July at approximately 15:00 India time (09:30 GMT).In his farewell address from aboard the ISS on Sunday, the Indian astronaut said India's journey in space exploration may be tough, but it has begun."It has been an incredible journey. Even though now it is coming to an end, for you and me there is a long way to go. The journey of our human space mission is very long and difficult. But if we are determined, even the stars are attainable."He referred to India's first man in space cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma famously quoting from a 1924 Urdu song "Sare jahan se achcha" to say "India looked better than the rest of the world"."Even today we want to know how it looks from space. I'll tell you. From space, today's India looks ambitious. It looks fearless. It looks confident. It looks proud. And so, I can once again say that today's India still looks better than the rest of the world," Group Captain Shukla said. Ax-4, which was originally expected to spend two weeks on the ISS, ended up staying a few days longer. During their stay, Axiom Space said the crew conducted 60 scientific experiments, including seven designed by Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).Isro, which had paid 5bn rupees ($59m; £43m) to secure a seat for Group Captain Shukla on Ax-4 and his training, has said the hands-on experience he gains during his trip to the ISS will help India in its human space has announced plans to launch Gaganyaan - the country's first-ever human space flight in 2027 - and has ambitious plans to set up a space station by 2035 and send an astronaut to the Moon by Captain Shukla is among four Indian air force officers shortlisted last year to travel on on 10 October 1985 in the northern city of Lucknow, Group Captain Shukla joined the air force as a fighter pilot in has flown MiGs, Sukhois, Dorniers, Jaguars and Hawks and has more than 2,000 hours of flying flying into space, Group Captain Shukla described the past year as "nothing short of transformative"."It has been an amazing journey so far, but the best is yet to come," he said. "As I go into space, I carry not just instruments and equipment, I carry hopes and dreams of a billion hearts. I request all Indians to pray for the success of our mission," he had said. Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook

This company could save NASA's doomed Martian Sample Return mission
This company could save NASA's doomed Martian Sample Return mission

Yahoo

time4 days ago

  • Business
  • Yahoo

This company could save NASA's doomed Martian Sample Return mission

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. Lockheed Martin is trying to position itself as a savior for many NASA missions currently facing the chopping block at the hands of the Trump administration. The administration has already detailed massive budget cuts to NASA, which could include a complete shutdown of the Mars Sample Return mission, which Perseverance has been working on for the past several years. However, Lockheed Martin — yes, the same company known for its extensive role in America's defense system — has come up with a fixed budget plan to save the Sample Return mission and bring back the collections Perseverance has already made. Today's Top Deals XGIMI Prime Day deals feature the new MoGo 4 and up to 42% off smart projectors Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals Over the years, NASA has struggled to bring its plans for Mars exploration to life. While the Mars Sample Return mission was a great idea, its actual execution has been less than smooth, with the budget often skyrocketing above the original numbers NASA provided years ago when it started operating on the mission. The numbers have changed so much, in fact, that even before the Trump administration's shocking budget cuts, NASA was already looking at possibly canceling the MSR or finding cheaper alternatives. Thankfully, those cuts seem to have been relinquished for now, but it doesn't mean NASA is out of the fire just yet. But Lockheed Martin's plan could make that unnecessary. According to a detailed post and video shared to Lockheed Martin's website, the company has come up with at least one way it could utilize existing services and vehicles to complete NASA's expensive Mars Sample Return mission. Further, the company says it would be able to pull it off for $3 billion, less than half NASA's current $7 billion projection. If true, it could give NASA the extra hand that it needs to get the Mars Sample Return mission back on track. While Trump and others have put a renewed focus on actually getting humans to Mars, being able to understand the Red Planet better will be key to surviving there and creating a human colony that can thrive. That's why these samples are so important. They could finally help us answer vital questions about the history of water on Mars, as well as determine the best places to land and colonize the planet. Of course, NASA and the U.S. government have to say yes to all of that first. But it's at least a nice plan that the bigwigs out there can mull over in the meantime. And, with a little luck, we could see the plans to can the Mars Sample Return turned on their head. And that would be a great thing to see. More Top Deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 See the

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