Here it is, the first week of October and it's Space Week, a global celebration of how space exploration and technology has improved life here on Earth. The annual celebration begins on October 4th, the day that Russia launched the first artificial satellite into orbit, Sputnik, in 1958.
As you all know by now, I am a space exploration geek. I have been since I was a kid growing up during the space race to the moon, but I wasn't into the tech stuff. I was more into the pop-culture and odd, unknown behind the scene stories of space flight. So much so that decades later, it prompted me to write my two books, Space Oddities and Everyone's Gone to the Moon.
When it comes to the pop-culture of the space race, I am amazed at how many songs were written about mankind's greatest adventure. When Space Oddities was released, I created a 10-part companion podcast with additional forgotten stories of space exploration. Episode 5 focused on the music inspired by the space program. Today, as Space Week 2025 begins, I thought I'd share three more songs I have found for your listening pleasure.
The first is a song by country legend Hank Snow. From 1953, Honeymoon on a Rocket Ship.
I like this one, the smooth sounds of the Ames Brothers from 1958, Destination Moon.
And of course, there has to be a Rockabilly tune. Songwriters of the genre loved writing about spaceflight including this one from 1958 by Nelson Young, Rock Old Sputnik.
I'll be posting more fun facts and trivia during Space Week 2025 on my Facebook page. Be sure to check it out.
