Vienna Symphony Beams Strauss' Blue Danube Into Space For ESA 50th, 200th Composer Birth Anniversary

Johann Strauss II's iconic "Blue Danube" waltz is being transmitted into deep space to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the composer's birth and the 50th anniversary of the European Space Agency (ESA). The Vienna Symphony Orchestra's performance will be broadcast on May 31, with a pre-recorded version sent by ESA to avoid technical issues, while the live performance accompanies the event. Traveling at the speed of light, the radio signals will pass the Moon in 1.5 seconds and reach as far as NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft within 23 hours. This initiative follows previous space music transmissions by NASA, including the Beatles' "Across the Universe" and Missy Elliott's "The Rain," as well as the Mars rover Curiosity relaying will.i.am's "Reach for the Stars." Strauss' "Blue Danube" was notably omitted from the Voyager Golden Records launched in 1977, making this transmission a symbolic cosmic homecoming for the piece. The event is being livestreamed with public screenings in Vienna, Madrid, and New York, blending cultural celebration with space exploration milestones.