Artemis II Astronauts Wake Up to Playlist of Popular Music

Mission control team plays songs by artists like Chappell Roan and John Legend to rouse crew

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:06pm

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An abstract, high-contrast close-up photograph of shimmering, glittering disco ball fragments, conceptually representing the celebratory energy of the Artemis II mission's wake-up playlist.The Artemis II mission control team is using an upbeat playlist of popular music to energize the crew as they prepare for their historic lunar voyage.Houston Today

The Artemis II mission control team at Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center in Houston has been playing popular songs by fan-favorite artists, including Chappell Roan and John Legend, to wake up the astronauts aboard the spacecraft as they prepare to embark on a journey to sights that no human has ever seen before.

Why it matters

The Artemis II mission is a highly anticipated spaceflight that will send astronauts on a journey around the Moon, providing them with a unique perspective and experience. The use of popular music to wake up the crew is a creative way to boost morale and energy levels as they prepare for this historic mission.

The details

The mission control team has carefully curated a playlist of upbeat and energizing songs to rouse the Artemis II astronauts each morning. The playlist features a diverse range of artists and genres, from the soulful sounds of John Legend to the indie-pop stylings of Chappell Roan, ensuring that the crew starts their day with a burst of motivation and enthusiasm.

  • The Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch in late 2026.

The players

Artemis II

The upcoming NASA mission that will send astronauts on a journey around the Moon, providing them with unprecedented views of the lunar surface and the Earth.

Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center

The mission control facility located in Houston, Texas, which is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the Artemis II mission.

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What they’re saying

“We want to make sure the astronauts are energized and ready to take on the challenges of this historic mission. Music has a way of lifting the spirits and boosting morale, so we've put together a playlist that we hope will get them pumped up and ready to explore the Moon like never before.”

— Samantha Hernandez, Artemis II Mission Control Team Lead

What’s next

The Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch in late 2026, marking a significant milestone in NASA's Artemis program and the continued exploration of the Moon.

The takeaway

The use of popular music to wake up the Artemis II astronauts is a creative and thoughtful approach to supporting the crew's well-being and morale as they embark on this historic mission. It highlights the importance of considering the human element in space exploration and the role that small gestures can play in keeping astronauts motivated and engaged.