NASA, Beatles Celebrate Anniversaries by Beaming Song Into Deep Space

[ToSeek]

NASA Press Release

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:

http://deepspace.jpl.nasa.gov



-end-

[Ronald Brak]

Government departments aren't supposed to be able to get away with that sort of thing here. I got the willies just reading about it. Did the Beatles pay for what would otherwise be free advertising for them? Will there be an investigation, or is this sort of thing just accepted in the U.S.?

[01101001]

Images of broken light which
dance before me like a million eyes
That call me on and on across the universe
Thoughts meander like a
restless wind inside a letter box
they tumble blindly as
they make their way across the universe

Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world

Wikipedia: Across the Universe

[Noclevername]

Government departments aren't supposed to be able to get away with that sort of thing here. I got the willies just reading about it. Did the Beatles pay for what would otherwise be free advertising for them? Will there be an investigation, or is this sort of thing just accepted in the U.S.?

What "sort of thing"? They're transmitting radio signals, so?

[Ronald Brak]

What "sort of thing"? They're transmitting radio signals, so?

Well I guess this answers my question of is that sort of thing accepted or not. Here it would be a question of why are taxpayers' funds being used for something that is of no scientific benefit, and why are they taxpayers' funds being used to give free advertising to the Beatles, who are multi-millionaires? As an Australian it's hard for me to see how NASA hasn't shot itself in the foot. Any opponent of NASA can point to this as an example of wasted money. It's the sort of thing the opposition would love to bring up in question time. But perhaps things are different in the U.S.

[Noclevername]

Well I guess this answers my question of is that sort of thing accepted or not. Here it would be a question of why are taxpayers' funds being used for something that is of no scientific benefit, and why are they taxpayers' funds being used to give free advertising to the Beatles, who are multi-millionaires? As an Australian it's hard for me to see how NASA hasn't shot itself in the foot. Any opponent of NASA can point to this as an example of wasted money. It's the sort of thing the opposition would love to bring up in question time. But perhaps things are different in the U.S.

We're so used to being told that a given action "wastes money" (or doesn't) that we've lost the ability to tell the difference any more. It just fades into the background of thousands of other, greater wastes. This one's not even a blip on the radar of Wasted Tax Money.

[NEOWatcher]

We're so used to being told that a given action "wastes money" (or doesn't) that we've lost the ability to tell the difference any more. It just fades into the background of thousands of other, greater wastes. This one's not even a blip on the radar of Wasted Tax Money.

Right; I, for one, think that this is all useless hype, similar to that of the lightsaber one.

As pointed out by others, there are PR advantages. Maybe the associated costs are, and maybe they are incidental and a great benifit (PR-wise) to NASA. But; does that make up for the free publicity that the non-NASA celebrities are getting from it? Or the misconceptions that they may strengthen?

For example... Yoko's statement.

"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.

A statement that is innocent and full of hope, but can be picked apart, and latched onto by many as we are about to start talking to aliens...and soon.

[Trantor]

For example... Yoko's statement.

A statement that is innocent and full of hope, but can be picked apart, and latched onto by many as we are about to start talking to aliens...and soon.

I agree. I got a bit of a laugh when I read that line coming from Yoko. I don't know anything about her personal beliefs, but based on that little comment, it wouldn't surprise me if she was one of those who already believes that our galaxy is loaded with alien civilizations, and that some of those aliens have been in secret contact with Earth.

[OneHotJupiter]

IF you have to ask WHY NASA would do this , then you'll likely never know. Some things are more important than money and Science and LOVE and AWARENESS are two of them. The Beatles teach both , something sorely needed by society these days.

The Beatles sung the soundtrack 40 years ago to a new age of understanding and discovery even now four decades later the music inspires people to open their hearts and minds to new and wonderful things.

Without those base aspects of humanity all the technology on Earth means absolutely nothing.

Good Call NASA!!

[Larry Jacks]

The transmission is being aimed at the North Star, Polaris, which is located 431 light years away from Earth.

I wonder if they're aiming the signal at where the North Star appears now or where it'll be in 431 years. It seems to me that if they're aiming at the star's current apparent position, it'll miss by a considerable distance when the signal arrives. Not that it would make any difference, of course. Just wondering.

[GVCarroll]

Seems to me that if we're going to be beaming signals out, we should be aiming them at likely targets for harboring life, not some random star that only has significance to us, and in the grand scheme of things, a temporary significance at that.

[Ronald Brak]

As pointed out by others, there are PR advantages. Maybe the associated costs are, and maybe they are incidental and a great benifit (PR-wise) to NASA. But; does that make up for the free publicity that the non-NASA celebrities are getting from it? Or the misconceptions that they may strengthen?

There is the potential for severe efficiency losses when government departments start doing their own PR, not to mention opportunites for corruption. (Maybe if Paramount slipped the director of NASA a few bucks he'd promote Star Trek XI on the next shuttle flight?) I know I found it extremely annoying when our telephone company started spending money on PR, as at the time it was a government monopoly and the only telephone company in the nation. It other words a complete waste of money.

[aurora]

So instead of having an office pizza party to celebrate the anniversary of NASA, they beamed a song out of the network.

What's the big stink about?

I'm sure they didn't build a new dish, or hire a large staff, or anything.

[KaiYeves]

This should make up for how The Beatles gave permission for their music to be on the Voyager record, but it didn't end up there.
I think it's good for the critics to see that NASA has a heart and likes to have some fun!

[Celestial Mechanic]

So instead of having an office pizza party to celebrate the anniversary of NASA, they beamed a song out of the network. What's the big stink about? I'm sure they didn't build a new dish, or hire a large staff, or anything.

Or buy houseplants for the offices, something that was part of the Superconducting Super Collider's undoing.

At least we should be grateful that they are beaming out some decent music instead of rap or AC/DC or (uggghh!!) the BeeGees.