Artemis II Astronauts Bring Earthly Tunes to the Moon

Music playlists curated by crew and loved ones provide emotional connection during historic lunar mission.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:03am

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A vibrant abstract painting featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise musical waveforms in a soft color palette, conveying the interplay of music and space exploration.The cosmic playlist: How music bridges the divide between Earth and the stars.Los Angeles Today

The Artemis II mission, set to send astronauts around the moon in 2026, will feature a carefully curated playlist of songs selected by the crew and their families. This musical accompaniment is more than just entertainment - it serves as an emotional lifeline, connecting the astronauts to their home planet during the isolating journey. The history of music in space exploration dates back decades, with astronauts smuggling instruments and NASA including recordings on uncrewed missions. Experts explain how these playlists are psychologically important, allowing astronauts to carry a piece of home with them into the unknown.

Why it matters

Music has long played a vital role in space exploration, providing astronauts with a crucial emotional connection to Earth during the isolating experience of spaceflight. The Artemis II playlist reflects this tradition, allowing the crew to bring a personal soundtrack to their historic lunar mission. This highlights how space travel is about more than just the science - it's also a profoundly human endeavor, where culture, emotions, and our shared humanity accompany us to the stars.

The details

The Artemis II crew's playlist is a blend of personal favorites and tracks with special meaning for the mission, curated by the astronauts and their loved ones. For example, Commander Reid Wiseman chose the song "Tokyo Drifting" by Glass Animals because it reminds him of family vacations. Music has been part of space travel since the early Gemini missions, when astronauts smuggled instruments onboard. Uncrewed missions like Voyager and SpaceX's Tesla Roadster have also carried music into the cosmos, leaving a sonic imprint of humanity. Experts explain that the selection of these playlists is carefully considered, as songs can transport astronauts to specific memories and provide a crucial emotional anchor during the isolating experience of spaceflight.

  • The Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch in 2026, sending astronauts on a historic journey around the moon.
  • Music has been part of space exploration since the 1960s Gemini missions, when astronauts smuggled instruments onboard.

The players

Artemis II Crew

The astronauts selected for the Artemis II mission, who have curated a personal playlist to accompany their journey around the moon.

Thomas Stafford and Wally Schirra

Astronauts from the Gemini era who smuggled a harmonica and bells onto their mission to perform "Jingle Bells" in space.

Voyager Probe

The uncrewed Voyager probe, launched in 1977, carried a disc filled with songs and sounds representing human diversity.

Christina Koch

An astronaut who learned to play a song on the keyboard for her husband's anniversary while on the International Space Station.

Denzel Curry

A rapper who dreams of being the first to perform in space.

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What they’re saying

“Music is really important in space.”

— Tim Peake, Retired British Astronaut

“Looking back at Earth as a blue, green, white marble in the blackness of space, music amplifies that sense of wonder and longing.”

— Tim Peake, Retired British Astronaut

“The selection of these playlists is anything but random. It's about creating a soundtrack for a journey that's both monumental and isolating.”

— Antonia Jaramillo, NASA Representative

What’s next

As private space companies continue to push the boundaries of space tourism, the possibility of live musical performances in orbit could become a reality in the near future.

The takeaway

The Artemis II astronauts' carefully curated playlists highlight how space exploration is not just about scientific discovery, but also about the exploration of our shared humanity. Music serves as an emotional lifeline, connecting the astronauts to their home planet and reminding us that even in the vastness of space, we carry our culture, emotions, and identity with us.