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http://www.jpl.nasa.gov
Michael Cabbage 202-358-1600
Headquarters, Washington
mcabbage@nasa.gov
Veronica McGregor 818-354-5011
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Ca.
veronica.mcgregor@jpl.nasa.gov
Martin Lewis 323-972-7755
Springtime!
martin@martinlewis.com
NEWS RELEASE 2008-019 Jan. 31, 2008
NASA and the Beatles Celebrate Anniversaries by Beaming Song 'Across the
Universe' Into Deep Space
WASHINGTON – For the first time ever, NASA will beam a song – The Beatles "Across
the Universe" -- directly into deep space at 4 p.m. Pacific Time (7 p.m. Eastern Time) on
Monday, Feb. 4.
The transmission over NASA's Deep Space Network will commemorate the 40th
anniversary of the day The Beatles recorded the song, as well as the 50th anniversary of
NASA's founding and the group's beginnings. Two other anniversaries also are being
honored: The launch 50 years ago this week of Explorer 1, the first U.S. satellite, and the
founding 45 years ago of the Deep Space Network, an international network of antennas
that supports missions to explore the universe.
Technicians at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., where the Deep
Space Network is managed, will send the command that will start the transmission.
The transmission is being aimed at the North Star, Polaris, which is located 431 light
years away from Earth. The song will travel across the universe at a speed of 186,000
miles per second. Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney expressed excitement that the tune,
which was principally written by fellow Beatle John Lennon, was being beamed into the
cosmos.
"Amazing! Well done, NASA!" McCartney said in a message to the space agency. "Send
my love to the aliens. All the best, Paul."
Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, characterized the song's transmission as a significant event.
"I see that this is the beginning of the new age in which we will communicate with
billions of planets across the universe," she said.
It is not the first time Beatles music has been used by NASA; in November 2005,
McCartney performed the song "Good Day Sunshine" during a concert that was
transmitted to the International Space Station. "Here Comes the Sun," "Ticket to Ride"
and "A Hard Day's Night" are among other Beatles' songs that have been played to wake
astronaut crews in orbit.
Feb. 4 has been declared "Across The Universe Day" by Beatles fans to commemorate
the anniversaries. As part of the celebration, the public around the world has been invited
to participate in the event by simultaneously playing the song at the same time it is
transmitted by NASA. Many of the senior NASA scientists and engineers involved in the
effort are among the group's biggest fans.
"I've been a Beatles fan for 45 years – as long as the Deep Space Network has been
around," said Barry Geldzahler, the network's program executive at NASA Headquarters,
Washington. "What a joy, especially considering that 'Across the Universe' is my
personal favorite Beatles song."
JPL built the Explorer 1 satellite and is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its launch. JPL
also operates NASA's Deep Space Network. For information about the Deep Space
Network, go to:
-end-
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