Over 53 years ago, Apollo 17 in December 1972 marked humanity's last Moon landing, with Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt roaming Taurus-Littrow, gathering samples before deep-space crewed flights paused amid budget cuts and new frontiers. NASA's Artemis program reignites that fire, targeting sustainable lunar returns. To fend off cosmic boredom on this epic orbit, NASA's wake-up playlist blasts hits for stellar mornings.

NASA has sparked joy among space lovers by dropping the official wake-up song playlist for the Artemis II mission, a fun tradition beaming Earth's beats to astronauts orbiting the Moon. Posted on socials with a "Rise and shine!" callout, the Spotify link spotlights tracks like 'Sleepyhead' by Young & Sick, 'Green Light' by John Legend feat. André 3000, 'In a Daydream' by Freddy Jones Band.

Along with them are 'Pink Pony Club' by Chappell Roan, 'Working Class Heroes (Work)' by CeeLo Green, 'Good Morning' by Mandisa and TobyMac, as well. 'Tokyo Drifting' by Denzel Curry and Glass Animals, and 'Under Pressure' by Queen and David Bowie are some sonic treats on the playlist, too.

This eclectic mix, spanning indie pop, hip-hop, gospel, and rock, mirrors the crew's vibe while nodding to NASA's Gemini-era custom of morale-boosting tunes from Mission Control. Clips of Commander Reid Wiseman joking about 'Pink Pony Club's chopped chorus have gone viral, humanizing the high-tech trek as the team snaps lunar far-side shots from 173,000 miles out.

While the playlist keeps the crew connected to Earth, Netflix made the mission even more accessible to viewers at home.

Netflix streams Artemis II launch

Artemis II's lunar flyby shattered streaming barriers by becoming NASA's first-ever stream to broadcast live on Netflix, pulling in millions of global viewers when Orion rocketed by the moon on April 6, 2026. This groundbreaking partnership fused space agencies' raw feeds with Netflix's slick production, offering multi-angle cameras, with real-time telemetry graphics.

Unlike past missions siloed on NASA TV, this debut tapped streaming's massive reach, spiking Netflix's space category views overnight. The move aligned perfectly with Artemis' goal of inclusive exploration, letting casual fans worldwide witness the SLS behemoth's 8.8 million pounds of thrust igniting at dawn. Interactive features like live director commentaries and AR overlays turned passive watching into immersion.

While post-liftoff recaps kept engagement soaring through splashdown. This streaming milestone pairs seamlessly with NASA's wake-up playlists, ensuring Artemis II's crew stays sonically linked to Earth, grooving to 'Pink Pony Club' or 'Under Pressure' while Netflix beams their launch back home, making deep space feel intimately close.

What do you think about NASA teasing astronaut song picks with the Artemis II playlist? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Pratham Gurung

Edited by

Adiba Nizami