Waltz into Space: Federal President Backs Mission
Vienna, ESA to Send Danube Waltz to Space for Strauss Anniversary
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Vienna, Austria – In a unique collaboration, Vienna and the European Space Agency (ESA) are set to launch Johann Strauss II’s “Danube Waltz” into space on May 31. The mission, dubbed “Waltz Into Space,” coincides with the 200th birthday of the composer’s son. The waltz will be accompanied by 13,743 “Spacenotes,” each linked to a participant’s name, culminating a successful global campaign.
Austrian president Backs space Mission
Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen has voiced his support for the “Waltz into Space” mission.
van der Bellen stated, “If the universe had a hymn, it would be the ‘Danube Waltz.'” He added that the waltz embodies lightness and humanity, reminding us to bring culture, poetry, and music to our explorations.
Global Participation Reaches Capacity
the campaign, which invited individuals to connect with a “Spacenote” free of charge, reached its limit of 13,743 participants. These names will journey into space alongside Strauss’s composition. Participants hailed from around the globe, with Austria securing the most notes (2,700), followed by Germany (2,200), Great Britain (2,000), Italy (1,400), Spain (900), canada (800), Japan (600), and France (300).
Interstellar Concert to Mark the Occasion
On May 31, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Petr Popelka, will perform at the Museum of Applied arts (MAK). At 9:30 p.m. central European Time, the “Danube Waltz” will be transmitted live to ESA’s Deep Space Antenna in Spain, traveling as an electromagnetic wave toward Voyager 1.The signal is expected to overtake the NASA probe, launched in 1977, approximately 23 hours later.
The concert, including the “Waltz into Space” mission segment, will be streamed live. Public screenings are planned at the herrmann beach bar in Vienna (8:30 p.m. CET), Bryant Park in New York (2:30 p.m. EDT), and near the ESA deep Space antenna DSA 2 in cebreros, Spain (8:30 p.m. CET). The event will also be broadcast on ORF ON and ORF III starting at 8:30 p.m.CET.
Organizers note that 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the European Space Agency’s founding (May 31, 1975), the vienna Symphony Orchestra’s 125th anniversary, and the 200th birthday of johann Strauss II.
Correcting a Cultural Omission
In 1977, NASA’s Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes carried Golden Records featuring music from Johann Sebastian Bach to Ludwig van Beethoven, but notably absent was the “Danube Waltz.”
The “Waltz into Space” mission aims to rectify this omission, acknowledging the waltz’s cultural importance, especially its association with space through Stanley Kubrick’s film, “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
‘Space Anthem’ Documentary Highlights Waltz’s Cosmic Connection
A mini-documentary titled “Space Anthem” explores the “Danube Waltz”‘s connection to space. The film features prominent figures from music, film, and space travel discussing the waltz’s significance. The documentary highlights how the “Danube Waltz” has been used during NASA missions, including the Space Shuttle “Revelation” docking at the International Space Station (ISS), solidifying its place as a space anthem.
Prominent supporters and Their Spacenotes
- Federal President Alexander van der Bellen: C, trombone
- Mayor Michael Ludwig: E, 1st violin
- Federal Minister Peter hanke: A, 1st violin
- Josef Aschbacher, ESA General Director: F, horn (in F)
- Carmen Possnig, future ESA astronaut: A’’, 1st violin
- Jan Nast, director wiener Symphoniker: E#’’’, 1st violin
- Petr Popelka, chief conductor Wiener Symphoniker: C#’’, 1st clarinet in C
- Kara Talve, Chief Composer for “The Simpsons”: F#, 2nd violin
- Eduard Strauss, great-grand nephew of Johann Strauss II: C#, 1st violin
- Walter Werzowa, composer and professor of film music: C, violin
- Brian W. Cook, assistant director to Stanley Kubrick: E, Horn (in F)
- Lilli Hollein, MAK General Director: E, 2nd violin
The Danube Waltz Takes Flight: A Cosmic Celebration
Here’s a Q&A about the “Waltz Into Space” mission.
What exactly is the ”Waltz Into Space” mission?
The “Waltz Into Space” mission is a collaborative project between Vienna and the European Space Agency (ESA) to send Johann Strauss II’s ”Danube Waltz” into space.The mission, launched on May 31st, coincides with the 200th birthday of the composer’s son.The waltz will be accompanied by 13,743 “Spacenotes,” each linked to a participant’s name.
Why is the “Danube waltz” being sent into space?
The mission aims to celebrate the cultural meaning of the “Danube Waltz” and to rectify a historical “omission.” In 1977, NASA’s Voyager 1 and 2 probes carried Golden Records featuring music but notably excluded the “Danube Waltz.” This mission acknowledges the waltz’s cultural importance and its association with space, especially as seen in Stanley Kubrick’s film, “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
Who supports this mission?
The “Waltz Into Space” mission has the backing of prominent figures:
Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der bellen has voiced his support.
Many other prominent figures contributed with their “Spacenotes”
Where can I experience the launch?
The Vienna Symphony Orchestra will perform a concert on May 31st, which will then be broadcast live to the ESA’s Deep Space Antenna in Spain. The concert, including the “Waltz Into Space” mission segment, will be streamed live on:
herrmann beach bar in Vienna (8:30 p.m. CET)
Bryant Park in New York (2:30 p.m. EDT)
Near the ESA deep Space antenna DSA 2 in Cebreros, Spain (8:30 p.m. CET)
ORF ON and ORF III starting at 8:30 p.m. CET.