NASA broadcasts Missy Elliott's track to Venus, aiming for attention
NASA sent something unusual into space. Using the Deep Space Network, they transmitted a hip-hop track by Missy Elliott to Venus. Why did they decide on such an undertaking?
6:12 PM EDT, July 25, 2024
NASA announced that Missy Elliott's song "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" was sent to Venus via the Deep Space Network. This song uses samples and lyrics from a 1973 soul song by Ann Peebles, "I Can't Stand the Rain," also known for Tina Turner's 1984 version.
Pushing boundaries with hip-hop beats
"Both space exploration and Missy Elliott's art have been about pushing boundaries. Missy has a track record of infusing space-centric storytelling and futuristic visuals in her music videos, so the opportunity to collaborate on something out of this world is truly fitting," said Brittany Brown, Director of the Office of Communication of the Digital and Technology Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington, as quoted in the press release.
She added that the artist's "cosmic fascinations" are visible in her work, for example, in the music video for "Sock It 2 Me" (1997). In the clip, Elliott walks on the surface of Mars and fights humanoid robots. NASA noted in the message that the choice of the track and the timing of its transmission to space were also influenced by Missy Elliott's concerts in the USA and Canada until August 23 as part of the "Out Of This World" tour (which means "out of this world").
NASA's ambitious plans
Before the radio signal with Missy Elliott's track "The Rain..." reached Venus, it covered a distance of over 158 million miles, which took about 14 minutes. By broadcasting this hit to Venus, NASA aimed to attract the attention of Earth's residents to the planned exploratory missions of this planet. In the coming decade, missions such as DAVINCI (Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry and Imaging) and the VERITAS (Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography and Spectroscopy) orbiter are planned.
These spacecraft, which will gather data on Venus' atmosphere and map its surface, will communicate with Earth using the world's largest telecommunications network, the Deep Space Network (DSN). DSN antennas will also be used in the European Space Agency's EnVision mission. As part of this mission, a satellite weighing 5,500 pounds and powered by solar energy will conduct studies on Venus, from its inner core to the upper layer of its atmosphere.
Venus, often referred to as Earth's twin planet, has dimensions comparable to our globe. However, the conditions on its surface are significantly different from those on Earth. Temperatures on Venus can reach nearly 932 degrees Fahrenheit, and the atmospheric pressure is about 100 times greater than on Earth.
The deep space network has been operating continuously for over half a century
The Deep Space Network, which has been operating continuously since 1963, was created as part of NASA's Space Communications and Navigation program. It consists of powerful radio antennas located in three strategic points around the globe: in Madrid (Spain), Goldstone in California, and Canberra (Australia). This global network enables communication with unmanned space probes, which includes tracking their trajectories, sending commands, and receiving transmitted data.
Missy Elliott's track "The Rain…" is the second piece of music to be broadcasted into space. The first was The Beatles' "Across the Universe," transmitted in 2008 as part of NASA's 50th-anniversary celebrations. This message, aimed at the star Polaris, located 431 light-years from Earth. People near the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor will be able to hear this song in about 415 years.
