Ubiquitous rockers Imagine Dragons have dramatically expanded their musical impact, with their tracks officially reaching the surface of the moon. This landmark achievement not only showcases their artistic prowess but also reflects the potential of music to transcend earthly boundaries.
Last month, it was announced that the innovative space startup Lonestar Data Holdings was preparing for a monumental rocket launch aimed at establishing the first data center on the moon. Should the launch succeed, one of its initial priorities was to transmit a song back to Earth, with Imagine Dragons’ Starfield theme titled “Children of the Earth” selected as the historic track for this groundbreaking transmission.
“Our mission is to ignite enthusiasm in the next generation about the future of space exploration and technology,” stated Lonestar investor Ryan Micheletti. He elaborated on the selection of ‘Children of the Sky’ as the first song ever broadcast from the moon, emphasizing its inspirational message and significance in creating a connection between music and space.
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It’s important to note that the initiative to send music to the moon is not a novel idea. Just a year ago, the Odysseus spacecraft successfully landed on the lunar surface, bringing with it digital recordings of legendary artists such as Elvis Presley, Marvin Gaye, Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Chuck Berry, Sly & the Family Stone, Bob Marley, Janis Joplin, The Who, and many more. However, the ambition to actually broadcast music back to Earth from the moon marked an unprecedented milestone in the history of space and music.
The Athena spacecraft was launched on February 26, with a targeted landing date set for March 6. Upon hearing of the touchdown, composer Inon Zur, who collaborated with Imagine Dragons on “Children of the Earth,” took to social media to share his excitement. “Success, we’re on the Moon!” he exclaimed. “After Athena’s landing, our partners at Lonestar successfully transmitted ‘Children of the Sky’ song and lyrics to their lunar data center. The song will now remain on the Moon…forever!!”
However, on March 7, reports emerged indicating that the Athena lander, developed by Texas-based Intuitive Machines, had indeed landed on the moon the previous day, but unfortunately on its side and approximately 820 feet short of its intended touchdown point. This outcome was reminiscent of last year’s Odysseus mission, where a hard landing compromised the craft’s landing gear, ultimately leading to an early conclusion of its mission.
Following the failed lunar landing, Intuitive Machines officially announced that the latest mission had come to an end. “The mission has concluded, and our teams are actively analyzing the data collected during the operation,” the company articulated in a public statement, revealing the challenges faced during this ambitious endeavor.
Due to the unsuccessful landing and the subsequent early termination of the mission, Imagine Dragons ultimately fell short of achieving the honor of having the first song broadcast to Earth from the moon. In the meantime, Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus mentioned that the company might postpone plans for a third lunar landing, currently scheduled for 2026, as they assess their next steps in lunar exploration.
