NASA has transmitted a hip-hop song into deep space for the first time

NASA has sent Missy Elliott's "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" to Venus, marking the first time a hip-hop song has been sent into space. The transmission was made using the Deep Space Network (DSN) facility in California.

Here's What We Know

The song travelled a distance of 254 million kilometres in 14 minutes, reaching Venus, Elliott's favourite planet. The initiative was suggested by NASA's Brittany Brown, who noted that Elliott's work has always been characterised by space themes and futuristic visualisations. Missy Elliott expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to share her music and message with the universe, emphasising that Venus symbolises strength, beauty and inspiration.

NASA continues to explore Venus with the DAVINCI and VERITAS missions, which will launch in 2029 and 2031, respectively. These missions will use the DSN to transmit data back to Earth. The DSN, which has been in operation since 1963, is operated by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and includes three facilities in California, Madrid and Canberra.

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The first time NASA sent a song into space was on 4 February 2008. It was the song "Across the Universe" by The Beatles. The event marked the 40th anniversary of the day The Beatles recorded the song, as well as the 50th anniversary of NASA's founding and the start of the group.

Source: NASA