science
NASA's Tradition of Playing Wake-Up Music for Astronauts and Its Historical Development
NASA has maintained a tradition of playing music to wake astronauts during space missions. The practice originated in the early days of the space program and has continued through various missions. NASA's chief historian Brian Odom provided details on its history.
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NASA's ground control team plays music to wake astronauts on space missions as part of an established tradition. This practice began during the Gemini program in the 1960s and has been used on numerous subsequent missions. The music selections are chosen to motivate and connect the crew with Earth.
The tradition started on Gemini 6 in December 1965, when ground control played "The Green Hills of Earth" by Frank Sinatra for astronauts Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford. This marked the first instance of wake-up music in NASA's history. The song was selected to evoke a sense of home for the crew after their rendezvous with an unmanned Agena target vehicle.
Gemini Era Following the initial use on Gemini 6, the practice expanded to other Gemini missions and became a staple during the Apollo program.
On Apollo 8 in 1968, ground control played "You've Got a Friend" by Carole King to wake the crew on Christmas Eve. Astronauts and mission control personnel collaborated on song choices, often reflecting mission milestones or crew preferences. During the Space Shuttle era, which ran from 1981 to 2011, wake-up music continued as a morale booster.
Over 130 shuttle missions featured custom playlists, with selections ranging from classical pieces to popular songs. NASA archives document hundreds of wake-up calls across programs, including contributions from celebrities and musicians.
The tradition persisted into the Space Shuttle program and later the International Space Station expeditions.
For instance, on STS-135 in 2011, the final shuttle mission, ground control played "Come Sail Away" by Styx. In recent years, the practice has adapted to digital formats, with playlists curated by mission teams. Brian Odom, NASA's chief historian, explained that the wake-up music serves to humanize the high-stakes environment of spaceflight.
