Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will wear two specially crafted Omega watches during his trip to the International Space Station, upholding a tradition that started at the very beginning of human space travel.
These legendary watches, famed for their unparalleled longevity and historical importance, are soon to aid astronauts again in the Ax-4 mission, planned by Axiom Space.
// A nap képe //
Az Ax-4 misszió személyzete (Sławosz Uznański, Peggy Whitson, Shubhanshu Shukla és Kapu Tibor) a Merlin hajtóművek előtt pózol.
📸: SpaceX pic.twitter.com/FADwUwBosp— SpacejunkieH (@SpacejunkieH) May 16, 2025
Crafted for the Extremes of Space
Omega’s presence in orbit, says Axiom Space, is not symbolic. The Speedmaster line, originally certified by NASA 60 years ago, is the gold standard for space chronometry. “With Ax-4 launching soon, we’re excited to have Omega’s watches on a mission again, extending a tradition dating from the beginning of the space program,” the company said in a statement.
Engineers severely test these watches to ensure they endure the extreme conditions found in outer space. Built to function under microgravity, high-pressure conditions, and extreme temperature fluctuations, the Speedmasters also withstand 40G shocks and resist corrosion in a vacuum. Their strength is the very reason they have been the first choice for space travelers for generations.
Two Timepieces, One Mission
For the Ax-4 mission, all astronauts—Shubhanshu Shukla included—will be issued two watches: the Omega Speedmaster X-33 Skywalker for use inside the spacecraft and the manual-winding Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch, selected for spacewalks (EVA). These watches highlight the balance between tradition and innovation in contemporary space travel.
A Global Effort in Space Science
Also, the Ax-4 mission is a milestone not only for India but also for Poland and Hungary, as all three nations send a government-sponsored space traveler to the ISS for the first time in over forty years. With plans to carry out approximately 60 scientific experiments, the mission reflects world togetherness in advancing human understanding.
In arming its astronauts with Omega watches, Axiom Space pays tribute to previous explorers while providing high-performance instruments to today’s space pioneers.
