NASA Releases Artemis II Crew Wake-Up Playlist Featuring Chappell Roan and Denzel Curry
NASA has published the wake-up song playlist selected by the Artemis II crew for their mission. The playlist includes tracks by artists such as Chappell Roan, Denzel Curry, and Queen. The mission concluded with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego.
EuronewsNASA revealed the wake-up song playlist chosen by the Artemis II crew on social media. The crew consists of Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen. This tradition of using music to start astronauts' days in space dates back more than 50 years.
The playlist, titled 'Artemis II Wake-Up Songs,' contains nine tracks. It begins with 'Sleepyhead' by Young & Sick and includes 'Green Light (feat. André 3000)' by John Legend and André 3000, 'In a Daydream' by Freddy Jones Band, 'Pink Pony Club' by Chappell Roan, 'Working Class Heroes (Work)' by CeeLo Green, 'Good Morning' by Mandisa and TobyMac, 'Tokyo Drifting' by Glass Animals and Denzel Curry, 'Under Pressure' by Queen and David Bowie, and 'Lonesome Drifter' by Charley Crockett.
“You asked for it. Here it is.”
“— NASA, Instagram post (date not specified in source) NASA stated that the music helps build camaraderie and boost morale among astronauts and ground teams. The practice involves Mission Control playing the songs to greet the crew each morning. Artists reacted positively to their inclusion in the playlist.”
Mission Overview The Artemis II mission launched on April 1, 2024.
It marked the farthest distance humans have traveled from Earth, reaching 252,756 miles (406,771 kilometers). m. PT on April 6, 2024. Euronews reported the splashdown timing as Saturday, April 11, but this appears inconsistent with the launch date and mission duration.
No other sources provided conflicting details on the end date. The official broadcast of the return streamed on platforms including YouTube, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, Netflix, and NASA+.
Artist Reactions Young & Sick commented on NASA's Instagram post expressing gratitude.
Glass Animals described the inclusion as the coolest event in their lives. Denzel Curry posted a reaction claiming to be the first rapper played in space. The BBC noted the playlist's use of Chappell Roan's 'Pink Pony Club' in the context of music's history in space missions.
Historical examples include a smuggled harmonica on earlier flights. The Artemis II playlist continues this longstanding practice.
Story Timeline
4 events- April 6, 2024 — 5:07 p.m. PT
Artemis II crew splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego.
1 sourceEuronews - April 1, 2024
Artemis II mission launched from Earth.
1 sourceEuronews - During mission (April 2024)
Crew used wake-up songs including 'Pink Pony Club' and 'Tokyo Drifting' each morning.
2 sourcesEuronews · BBC News - Pre-mission (2024)
Artemis II crew selected nine songs for the official wake-up playlist.
1 sourceEuronews
Potential Impact
- 01
Artists like Chappell Roan gain increased visibility from space mission association.
- 02
Public interest in space program rises through shared cultural elements like music.
- 03
Broadcast streams on multiple platforms expand NASA's audience reach.
- 04
NASA's morale-boosting tradition continues with future Artemis missions.
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