Space Grooves! NASA Reveals the Soundtrack for the Artemis II Lunar Journey
Toronto, ON
As the crew of the Artemis II mission voyaged around the Moon, they weren’t travelling in silence.
They woke the crew each day with a curated Spotify playlist used by Mission Control in Houston; these tracks serve as a vital sonic tether between the lunar capsule and planet Earth.
Far from being random selections, every song on the list was chosen by the astronauts and their families, making the morning wake-up call a deeply emotional experience.
A Tradition Born in the Stars
The practice of “wake-up calls” is one of NASA’s traditions, dating back to 1965 in the Apollo era. What began as a functional way to start the workday has evolved into a cultural touchstone for space travel.
According to Brian Odom, a NASA Chief Historian, this music serves as a bridge to their families, their culture, and the world they left behind. The list includes the viral hit “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan and the iconic collaboration “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie.
Hearing these familiar melodies provides the mental clarity and emotional grounding needed to stay focused on the mission’s objectives. Ultimately, it serves as proof that no matter how far we travel, we always bring our favorite records with us.
CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen made history by travelling to the Moon as part of the Artemis II mission. Representing Canada on the first crewed flight test of the Orion spacecraft, he launched aboard the SLS rocket and became the very first Canadian to venture into lunar space.
Government of Canada. (2025). Biography of Jeremy Hansen. Canadian Space Agency.
NASA’s decision to publish the playlist on Spotify allows fans and space enthusiasts to sync their morning routines with the Artemis II crew.
At Scene Magazine, we love seeing how music transcends boundaries, even the boundaries of our own atmosphere. As Artemis II continues its triumphant ascent, we’ll be listening along, reminded that music is the universal language that keeps us all connected, no matter the distance.
Written based on NASA’s release to Spotify its playlist of wake-up songs for the Artemis II crew. By Juliet La Sala – The Washington Times – Thursday, April 9, 2026. Images Credit: NASA.
SCENE MUSIC MAGAZINE to your inboxSCENE MUSIC MAGAZINE to your inbox
Stay Informed. Be Entertained.
