Space Flight is the use of space technology to achieve the flight of spacecraft into and through outer space. Spaceflight is used in space exploration, and also in commercial activities like space tourism and satellite telecommunications. Additional non-commercial uses of spaceflight include space observatories, reconnaissance satellites and other Earth observation satellites. A spaceflight typically begins with a rocket launch, which provides the initial thrust to overcome the force of gravity and propels the spacecraft from the surface of Earth. Once in space, the motion of a spacecraft—both when unpropelled and when under propulsion—is covered by the area of study called astrodynamics. Some spacecraft remain in space indefinitely, some disintegrate during atmospheric re-entry and others reach a planetary or lunar surface for landing or impact.
“Fly Me to the Moon“, originally titled “In Other Words“, is a song written in 1954 by Bart Howard. Kaye Ballard made the first recording of the song the year it was written. Frank Sinatra’s 1964 version was closely associated with the Apollo missions to the Moon. In 1999, the Songwriters Hall of Fame honoured “Fly Me to the Moon” by inducting it as a “Towering Song”.
Space Oddity” is a song written and recorded by English singer-songwriter David Bowie. It was first released by Philips Records as a 7-inch single in July 1969 before appearing as the opening track of his second studio album David Bowie. After climbing to number 48 in the UK by September, Bowie performed the song on the British programme Top of the Pops in early October. The broadcast helped “Space Oddity” climb to number five.
“Across the Universe” is a song by the English rock band the Beatles. It was written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon-McCartney. The song first appeared on the 1969 various artists’ charity album No One’s Gonna Change Our World and later, in a different form, on their 1970 album Let It Be, the group’s final released album. The song has been covered by many artists, including David Bowie on his 1975 album Young Americans, which featured contributions from Lennon.
“Starman” is a song by English musician David Bowie. It was released in April 1972 by RCA Records as the lead single of his fifth studio album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Co-produced by Ken Scott, Bowie recorded the song in February 1972 at Trident Studios in London. Upon release, “Starman” sold favorably and earned positive reviews. Following Bowie’s performance of the song on Top of the Pops, the song launched to number 10 in the UK and helped propel the album to number five. It was his first major hit since “Space Oddity” three years earlier.
“Rocket Man” (officially titled “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time)“) is a song composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and originally performed by Elton John. The song first appeared in April 1972 in the US as the lead single to John’s album Honky Chateau. The song first charted in the UK in April, rising to No. 2 in the UK and No. 6 in the US Billboard, becoming a major hit single for John.
“Walking on the Moon” is a song by English rock band the Police, released as the second single from their second studio album, Regatta de Blanc (1979). The song was written by the band’s lead vocalist and bassist Sting. It went on to become the band’s second No. 1 hit in the UK. The video was shot at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida in October 1979. It features the band playing their respective instruments near a Saturn V moon rocket (although Sting is seen with an electric guitar, not bass) with several NASA footage spliced in between. It was directed by Derek Burbidge.
“Spaceman” is a song by British rock band Babylon Zoo, released in January 1996 as the lead single from their debut album, The Boy with the X-Ray Eyes (1996). Featuring heavily distorted guitars and metallic, robotic sounding vocals, it entered the UK Singles Chart at number one, after being featured in a popular Levi’s jeans television advertisement in December 1995. “Spaceman” was the sixth song to reach number one in the UK after being featured in an advert for Levi’s.
“Sputnik” is a track from the concept album about space travel The Race for Space by Public Service Broadcasting released in 2015. In his review of the album for Drowned in Sound, Marc Burrows wrote that “the joy [in The Race for Space] is in how the duo marry theme and function”, citing specifically the album’s instrumentals and their fit to the archival recordings used, such as “the beeping signal of the pioneering “Russian moon” built into the loping, housy rhythm of ‘Sputnik'”.
