As the Artemis II crew made their way back to Earth after circling the moon and traveling farther than any humans in history, NASA shared the songs helping them start each day. Their wake-up playlist, a mix of calm, upbeat, and high-energy tracks chosen by the crew themselves, adds a personal, human touch to a serious mission packed with major milestones, and is proof that even in space, the little things still matter.
Alexmit / Depositphotos.com
The eight songs from the Artemis II playlist are:
- “Sleepyhead” by Young & Sick
- “Green Light (feat. André 3000)” by John Legend
- “In a Daydream” by Freddy Jones Band
- “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan
- “Working Class Heroes (Work)” by CeeLo Green
- “Good Morning” by Mandisa and TobyMac
- “Tokyo Drifting” by Glass Animals and Denzel Curry
- “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie
Wake-up songs have been part of missions since the Apollo era, when astronauts were greeted with fun or meaningful tunes from Earth. The tradition has become a way to boost morale and strengthen bonds between crews and ground teams. NASA intentionally keeps the selections personal, avoiding outside influence so the music is meaningful to those on board. It is a small ritual that helps keep astronauts grounded, even when they’re anything but. As NASA explains, “The common element of all these selections is that they promote a sense of camaraderie and esprit de corps.”
Source: CBS News
