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Artemis II Crew's Epic Lunar Playlist Revealed
9 Apr
Summary
- Artemis II astronauts shared their mission soundtrack via Spotify.
- This continues a musical tradition dating back to the Apollo missions.
- The crew traveled farther than any humans, reaching 252,756 miles from Earth.

The Artemis II crew has unveiled their chosen mission soundtrack, continuing a cherished tradition that started more than half a century ago. The list, shared via Spotify, includes songs like "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie, and "Pink Pony Club" by Chappell Roan. This practice echoes the wake-up music played during the historic Apollo missions, where songs were used to foster camaraderie.
The Artemis II astronauts recently concluded a successful lunar flyby, marking the first human loop around the Moon in over 50 years. During their 10-day mission, they achieved a record distance from Earth, reaching 252,756 miles. Music has been a daily feature, with specific songs selected for wake-up calls.
This tradition of using music for wake-up calls dates back to at least the Apollo Program. NASA management has consistently allowed crews to choose their music, emphasizing its role in building esprit de corps. Past missions, like Apollo 10 and 15, also had distinct musical selections.
As the Artemis II mission nears its end, with a planned splashdown off the California coast on Friday, the crew's final wake-up song remains a surprise, though typically "Going Back to Houston" is played on final days.