To commemorate the 200th anniversary of Johann Strauss II's birth, the European Space Agency (ESA) is set to transmit his iconic "Blue Danube" waltz into space on May 31, 2025. This initiative not only celebrates Strauss' legacy but also serves to rectify a historical oversight: the omission of this quintessential piece from the Voyager Golden Records, which were launched in 1977 . The transmission will be performed by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and livestreamed across major cities including Vienna, Madrid, and New York, embodying a global celebration of music and culture.
The classical piece will be beamed into the cosmos as it’s performed by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. The celestial send-off on May 31 — livestreamed with free public screenings in Vienna, Madrid and New York — also will celebrate the European Space Agency’s founding 50 years ago.
Although the music could be converted into radio signals in real time, according to officials, ESA will relay a pre-recorded version from the orchestra’s rehearsal the day before to avoid any technical issues. The live performance will provide the accompaniment.
The radio signals will hurtle away at the speed of light, or a mind-blowing 670 million mph (more than 1 billion kph).
The classical piece will be beamed into the cosmos as it’s performed by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. The celestial send-off on May 31 — livestreamed with free public screenings in Vienna, Madrid and New York — also will celebrate the European Space Agency’s founding 50 years ago.
Although the music could be converted into radio signals in real time, according to officials, ESA will relay a pre-recorded version from the orchestra’s rehearsal the day before to avoid any technical issues. The live performance will provide the accompaniment.
The radio signals will hurtle away at the speed of light, or a mind-blowing 670 million mph (more than 1 billion kph).
NASA celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008 by transmitting The Beatles' Across The Universe directly into deep space, and last year the agency beamed up Missy Elliott's The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) towards Venus.
The significance of this event extends beyond mere commemoration; it symbolizes a connection between Earth and space. The "Blue Danube," often referred to as an "anthem of space," has been linked to various NASA missions and popularized in cinematic works such as Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" . By broadcasting this waltz at light speed toward Voyager 1—where it will arrive approximately 23 hours later—the ESA aims to share Strauss' music with potential future explorers .
This unique event coincides with the ESA’s 50th anniversary while launching Vienna’s year-long theme “King of Waltz. Queen of Music,” further highlighting Strauss’ enduring influence in both terrestrial and extraterrestrial realms . Such initiatives underscore how art transcends boundaries—cultural, temporal, or spatial—and emphasizes music's universal language. Ultimately, sending "Blue Danube" into space not only honors Strauss’ legacy but also invites future generations to experience his work within a cosmic context.
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