However cool and fun mechanical watches are, a superior movement operating at 262Hz, as Bulova’s does, seems practical and appropriate for a watch as technical in nature as space-bound equipment should be. The brand’s High Performance Quartz even outdoes the famous reliability and precision of standard quartz - which itself beats mechanical watch movements by miles. While the original Bulova watch would have had a mechanical movement like the Valjoux 72 inside, the brand’s modern version is equipped with a quartz movement that could be considered a descendent of Bulova’s Accutron technology. The newest version of the Bulova Lunar Pilot has been downsized from 45mm to 43.5mm, the exact size of the original. Not only its story, but also its looks make the Lunar Pilot a solid affordable alternative to the Omega Speedmaster. Omega’s successful 1969 design even beat the now luxurious Rolex Daytona and no doubt influenced Bulova as well. Each watch company competed for the honor and marketing value of making the Moonwatch to NASA’s requirements and specifications. It’s likely no coincidence that the dials and bezels of the Speedmaster and Bulova Lunar Pilot look similar.

Scott’s Bulova was auctioned for a final price of no less than $1,625,000 in 2015, and Bulova released its modern remake the same year, naming it the Lunar Pilot. The actual Omega Speedmasters astronauts wore were issued by NASA and so are considered government property. They will start basic training in case a flight opportunity has been identified.ĮSA also selected one member of the reserve who will take part in ESA’s feasibility study “Fly!” to develop options for the inclusion of astronauts with physical disabilities in human spaceflight and possible future missions.When Scott put his Bulova up for auction, it created a lot of excitement in part because it was the only known privately owned watch that had been on the Moon. Members of the European astronaut reserve remain with their current employers and will receive a consultancy contract and basic support. This reserve list is composed of candidates who were successful throughout the entire selection process but cannot be recruited at this point in time. They will be trained to the highest level of standards as specified by the International Space Station partners.įrank De Winne, head of the European Astronaut Centre and ESA’s International Space Station programme manager said: “We are excited to welcome the new ESA astronaut class of 2022 and I am looking forward to see all these ambitious young astronaut candidates joining us for their first training at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre in spring 2023, going forward to explore and shape space exploration.”Īfter completion of the one-year basic training, the new astronauts will be ready to enter the next Space Station training phase and, once assigned to a mission, their training will be tailored to specific mission tasks.įor the first time, ESA has established a reserve pool of astronauts. Watch a replay (below) of the announcement event, held at the Grand Palais Éphémère in Paris, France, and moderated by Louise Houghton.ĮSA’s new astronaut candidates will take up duty at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. We are delighted to have this group of extremely talented people, to continue European science and operations on the International Space Station and beyond.” After the successful launch of Artemis I with ESA’s European Service Module powering Orion to the Moon, we are on the forefront of human space exploration. “The continuous exploration in low Earth orbit on the International Space Station, going forward to the Moon – and beyond,” said ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher.ĮSA’s director of Human and Robotic Exploration, David Parker, added “This is an extraordinary time for human spaceflight and for Europe. This ESA astronaut class is bringing ambition, talent and diversity in many different forms – to drive our endeavours, and our future. “Today we welcome the 17 members of the new ESA astronaut class 2022.

Astronauts watch