Artemis 2 Crew Wake-Up Songs: Spotify Playlist

NASA’s Artemis 2 lunar mission is incorporating a musical element into its operational routine through the use of wakeup songs, a tradition designed to start the crew’s day with positivity. A Spotify playlist has been created to allow the public to follow the specific tracks selected by Mission Control for the crew aboard the Orion capsule.

The current selection of tracks includes a cover of Passion Pit’s Sleepyhead performed by the artist Young & Sick, as well as In a Daydream by the Freddy Jones Band. The playlist also features Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club, which resulted in a lighthearted exchange between the crew and ground control.

Crew Interactions and Playlist Highlights

The inclusion of Pink Pony Club led to a moment of frustration for the astronauts when Mission Control ended the transmission before the song reached its main section. Artemis 2 commander Reid Wiseman noted the crew’s reaction to the abrupt cutoff.

We were all eagerly awaiting the chorus

Reid Wiseman

These musical interludes are part of the mission’s lighter side, contrasting with its primary scientific and technical objectives. The Artemis 2 mission is tasked with testing the Orion capsule in deep space and capturing images of lava flow remnants on the lunar surface.

A Long-Standing Spaceflight Tradition

The practice of playing music to wake astronauts is not new to NASA, as it is a tradition carried over from previous crewed missions. This custom was utilized during the Apollo era and throughout the space shuttle program to maintain crew morale during long-duration flights.

Historical examples of wakeup songs from these previous programs include:

• It’s Nice to Go Trav’ling by Frank Sinatra
• Viva la Vida by Coldplay

By continuing this practice, Mission Control maintains a psychological link to the crew, using short snippets of music radioed into the spacecraft at designated wakeup times.

Additional Mission Whimsy

Beyond the music, the Artemis 2 mission includes other non-technical elements intended to connect the crew with the public. One such item is a moon toy named Rise, which serves a dual purpose as a zero-gravity indicator for the crew.

The toy also carries a microchip containing the names of space fans who signed up to have their presence represented during the lunar mission.

The Spotify playlist documenting the mission’s soundtrack is being updated as more wakeup songs are revealed throughout the flight.