NASA sends first hip-hop song to Venus

The universe is huge. But for one cult artist, the stars have now come a little closer. For the first time, NASA sent hip-hop music into space.

NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN) sent the lyrics of Missy Elliott’s hit “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” on a cosmic journey to Venus.

The Jet Propulsion Lab in California initiated the transmission on July 12 at 10:05 a.m. PDT.

“I still can’t believe I’m leaving this world with NASA via the Deep Space Network when ‘The Rain’ (Supa Dupa Fly) is the first hip-hop song ever transmitted into space!” Elliott said in the NASA press release.

Transmission via radio signal

This 1997 hit (“The Rain” reached number 4 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop chart) marked the start of Missy Elliott’s solo career after her time with an R&B group.

Elliott, also known as Misdemeanor, has always pushed boundaries. Her music videos are known for their futuristic themes and otherworldly imagery.

“Both space exploration and Missy Elliott’s art were about pushing boundaries,” said Brittany Brown, director of the Digital and Technology Division of the Office of Communications at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

“Missy already has experience infusing her music videos with space-centric storytelling and futuristic imagery, so the opportunity to collaborate on something out of the ordinary was a really good fit for me,” added Brown.

The song traveled 254 million kilometers from Earth at the speed of light and reached Venus via radio signals in just 14 minutes.

The historic radio signal transmission launched from a 34-meter (112-foot) wide radio antenna (Deep Space Station 13), nicknamed “Venus.” DSS 13 is located at NASA’s Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in California.

Elliot’s favorite planet

Interestingly, Venus was specifically chosen because it is Elliot’s favorite planet.

Elliot said, “I chose Venus because it symbolizes strength, beauty and empowerment and I am so honored to have the opportunity to share my art and message with the universe!”

Venus is often referred to as Earth’s evil twin. The planet is surrounded by a thick, sweltering atmosphere of carbon dioxide and clouds of sulphuric acid. With an average temperature high enough to melt lead (400°C), it is not a welcoming environment.

According to a NASA press release, the space agency is sending two new missions to Venus and the DSN will help with them. NASA’s DAVINCI mission, which will target Venus’ atmosphere, is scheduled to launch sometime after 2029, followed by its companion VERITAS mission in 2031 or later.

The DSN is a network of powerful radio antennas that act as messengers from Earth, sending commands and receiving data from spacecraft exploring the Moon and beyond.

Music has been part of NASA’s cosmic messages for decades. As early as 1965, astronauts in Earth orbit enjoyed a parody of “Hello, Dolly!”

Meanwhile, the Voyager missions, on their way outside the solar system, carry with them golden records, a mixtape of the sounds of Earth. Who knows, maybe one day an alien civilization will find these songs and get a taste of Earth’s music.