Artemis II Crew Wakes Up to Curated Playlist

NASA releases official song list for astronauts' journey around the Moon

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:47pm

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An abstract, geometric painting in earthy tones of green, blue, and orange, depicting sweeping arcs and concentric circles that represent the Artemis II mission's trajectory around the Moon, conveying the structural order and beauty of space exploration.NASA's carefully curated playlist for the Artemis II astronauts aims to uplift and inspire the crew during their historic journey around the Moon.Oklahoma City Today

As the Artemis II mission continues its historic journey around the Moon, NASA has revealed the official playlist of songs the astronauts will wake up to during their 10-day mission. The diverse selection of music, ranging from classic rock to contemporary pop, is designed to energize and inspire the crew as they conduct scientific experiments and prepare for their return to Earth.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission marks the first crewed flight of NASA's new Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket, paving the way for future lunar landings. The carefully curated playlist reflects NASA's efforts to support the mental and emotional well-being of the astronauts during their time in deep space, a crucial factor for the success of long-duration missions.

The details

The Artemis II playlist includes 20 songs spanning multiple genres, from the iconic 'Space Oddity' by David Bowie to the upbeat 'Rocket Man' by Elton John. Other selections include 'Fly Me to the Moon' by Frank Sinatra, 'Walking on the Moon' by The Police, and 'Starman' by David Bowie. The playlist was compiled by NASA's music team in collaboration with the Artemis II crew to ensure the songs would resonate with the astronauts and help maintain their morale during the challenging mission.

  • The Artemis II mission launched on April 3, 2026.
  • The astronauts will spend 10 days orbiting the Moon before returning to Earth.

The players

Artemis II

NASA's second crewed mission to the Moon, which will send four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the lunar surface.

NASA

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency responsible for the Artemis program and the Artemis II mission.

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What they’re saying

“Music has always been an important part of space exploration, and we wanted to create a playlist that would uplift and inspire the Artemis II crew during their historic journey.”

— Jim Bridenstine, Former NASA Administrator

What’s next

The Artemis II crew is scheduled to return to Earth on April 13, 2026, completing the first crewed mission around the Moon since the Apollo program.

The takeaway

The Artemis II playlist reflects NASA's commitment to supporting the physical and mental well-being of astronauts during long-duration space missions, a crucial factor for the success of future deep space exploration efforts.