As the crew of Artemis II wakes up to the sounds of Queen and David Bowie while traveling through space, one can’t help but be in awe of the sheer magnitude of the moment. On Day 8 of their historic 10-day voyage, “Under Pressure” filled the Orion spacecraft with its iconic melody, creating a surreal soundtrack for the astronauts orbiting the moon.
The tradition of the wake-up song in space exploration dates back over 50 years, with each member of the Artemis II crew—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—selecting their own tracks for the journey. Breaking the distance record set by Apollo 13 in 1970, they ventured further from Earth than any humans have ever traveled, making history with each passing moment.
The playlist curated by the astronauts has been nothing short of a highlight reel, featuring a diverse range of tracks that have set the tone for different phases of their journey. From Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” to John Legend and Andre 3000’s “Green Light,” each song has added its own unique flavor to the cosmic soundtrack aboard the spacecraft.
In response to NASA’s Instagram post about the playlist, artists whose songs were included have expressed their excitement and gratitude for being part of such a momentous occasion. Young & Sick, whose song “Sleepyhead” kicked off the journey, shared their appreciation, while Spotify couldn’t resist commenting on the impeccable taste displayed in the selection of songs.
For those following along with the Artemis II mission, NASA has made the full wake-up playlist available on Spotify, allowing listeners to experience the journey alongside the crew. As the spacecraft prepares to land in the Pacific Ocean on Friday evening, bringing an end to this extraordinary voyage, one can’t help but reflect on the power of music to transcend boundaries and connect us to moments far beyond our reach.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.