[FPSPACE] FW: NASA and the Beatles Celebrate Anniversaries by Beaming Song 'Across the Universe' Into Deep Space

[LARRY KLAES]

>From: "NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory" <info at jpl.nasa.gov>
>Reply-To: <info at jpl.nasa.gov>
>Subject: NASA and the Beatles Celebrate Anniversaries by Beaming Song 
>'Across the Universe' Into Deep Space
>Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:22:46 -0800
>
>MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE
>JET PROPULSION LABORATORY
>CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
>NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
>PASADENA, CALIF. 91109 TELEPHONE 818-354-5011
>http://www.jpl.nasa.gov
>
>Michael Cabbage  202-358-1600
>Headquarters, Washington
>mcabbage at nasa.gov
>
>Veronica McGregor  818-354-5011
>Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Ca.
>veronica.mcgregor at jpl.nasa.gov
>
>Martin Lewis 323-972-7755
>Springtime!
>martin at martinlewis.com
>
>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-
>
>
>