The Alaska III – Special NASA “Radial” dial spotted at work !
August 22, 2019/
During the Space Shuttle program from 1981, a very special Speedmaster was supplied to Astronauts, The Alaska III, featuring an all-brushed case, made in America by Star Watch Case Company, and a special design radial numbers dial without SWISS MADE.
This was a consequence of the “Buy American Act", that established more restrictive Government purchasing policies, it required Federal agencies to procure domestic materials and products for specific use, and NASA had to proceed to a new re-certification only for those watches produced in the united states. After all the tests, in November 1978 NASA chose the Speedmaster again, this time from 30 candidates and they finally delivered 56 pieces.
Here below some photos where you can see this particular watch at the astronauts' wrists.
S81-39570 (12-14 Nov 1981) Astronaut Joe H. Engle, STS-2 commander
STS002-02-865 (12-14 Nov. 1981) Astronaut Richard H. Truly
S81-39573 (12-14 Nov. 1981) astronauts Joe H. Engle
S83-37627 (26 July 1983) — Dr. William E. Thornton and Guion S. Bluford STS-8
STS008-13-0361 (30 Aug.-5 Sept. 1983) Astronaut Guion S. Bluford, STS-8
1983 STS-008 Bluford
STS008-04-104 (13 Sept 1983) — Richard H. Truly and Guion S. Bluford
51G-105-030 (17-24 June 1985) Sultan Salman Abdelazize Al-Saud
51G-04-010 (17 – 24 June 1985) Payload Specialist Sultan Salman Abdelize Al-Saud
51I-13-024 (2 Sept. 1985) Astronaut Joe H. Engle, STS51-I commander
51I-17-029 (Aug-Sept 1985) — Discovery in early September 1985
S86-26417 (Feb. 1986) — Astronaut Joe H. Engle.
STS032-30-024 (17 Jan 1990) Astronaut Daniel C. Brandenstein, STS-32
STS035-S-091 (10 Dec 1990) STS-35
STS046-05-019 (31 July-8 Aug 1992) Franco Malerba
STS053-02-007 (2 – 9 Dec 1992) — Astronaut Robert D. Cabana, pilot, uses a tonometer to check the intraocular pressure of astronaut Michael R. U.