How the moon and music have collided in space
How the Moon and Music Have Collided in Space
While Earthbound listeners might associate Techno with gyms, Disco with clubs, and Pop with road trips, the question remains: what music is best suited for space? The Artemis II crew, aboard NASA’s latest lunar voyage, have chosen tracks like Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club and Tokyo Drifting by Glass Animals and Denzel Curry to greet the dawn. US rapper Denzel Curry shared his astonishment with BBC Newsbeat, expressing how his song’s inclusion in the space playlist brought unexpected joy.
“I wanted to give all of them a hug for even thinking about me,” Curry told Newsbeat, reflecting on the honor of his music being played in orbit. “It’s a second life now, and my next goal is to be the first rapper in space.”
Tim Peake, the former British astronaut, highlighted the emotional significance of curated playlists during his 2015 mission to the International Space Station. He selected Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now, U2’s Beautiful Day, and Coldplay’s A Sky Full of Stars to uplift his team. Peake emphasized that music serves as a bridge to Earth, recalling personal memories and connections.
“Music is really important in space. It reminds you of friends and family,” Peake said. “Hearing that familiar tune inside the capsule is like having a piece of home in the vastness of space.”
Antonia Jaramillo, a NASA representative, explained the process of sharing music with astronauts. “The crew and their loved ones pick the songs,” she said. “It’s a blend of personal favorites and tracks that hold special meaning for the mission. We’ve all enjoyed listening to these selections.”
Dr. Eleanor Armstrong, a space researcher at the University of Leicester, noted the historical roots of this practice. “Playing music in space dates back to the Gemini era,” she explained. “Organizations like the US Navy have long used songs to signal the start of the day, and this tradition continues today.”
Historical milestones include the Gemini 6A mission, where astronauts Thomas Stafford and Wally Schirra surprised mission control by playing Jingle Bells using a harmonica and bells. These instruments, now on display at the National Air and Space Museum, mark a unique chapter in space history. Similarly, the Voyager probe’s golden record, launched in 1977, carries a curated collection of sounds and music to represent human culture in deep space.
“The Tesla Roadster currently orbiting space is programmed to play David Bowie’s Space Oddity on loop,” Armstrong added. “It’s a way to keep the spirit of exploration alive, even in silence.”
Christina Koch, part of the Artemis II crew, has shown particular interest in space music. Her enthusiasm underscores the enduring role of sound in connecting astronauts to their origins, even as they traverse the cosmos. Whether through a carefully chosen playlist or the hum of a spacecraft, music remains a vital thread in the fabric of space exploration.
