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Vienna’s mission to broadcast Johann Strauss II’s “The Blue Danube” Waltz into deep space.

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Mission Statement

For Johann Strauss II’s 200th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the European Space Agency, Vienna is embarking on a mission of cosmic proportions – sending The Blue Danube Waltz to its destined home among the stars.
In our collective imagination, The Blue Danube Waltz has long been celebrated as the ultimate Anthem of Space – famously immortalized in Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Yet, surprisingly, this iconic waltz was not included on either of the Voyager Golden Records – a collection of humanity’s greatest achievements that was sent by NASA to reach potential extraterrestrial life back in 1977.
On 5/31/2025 Vienna set the record straight. Through the combined efforts of the prestigious Wiener Symphoniker (Vienna Symphony Orchestra) and in close collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), The Blue Danube Waltz was successfully broadcast to the farthest reaches of the universe, creating a timeless musical bridge between humanity and potential life forms out there.
This mission is both a tribute to the past and a testament to the future – a Viennese Waltz that will echo through space forever.
Let’s Make Aliens Dance
Rewatch the moment history was made!
Let’s Make Aliens Dance
Rewatch the moment history was made!
Let’s Make Aliens Dance
Rewatch the moment history was made!
Let’s Make Aliens Dance
Rewatch the moment history was made!
Let’s Make Aliens Dance
Rewatch the moment history was made!

Mission: Accomplished

On May 31, 2025, Johann Strauss II’s The Blue Danube Waltz was transmitted into space. Rewatch the live-concert now.
Performed by the Wiener Symphoniker at the MAK (Museum of Applied Arts) in Vienna, Austria, the definitive Anthem of Space was transmitted towards Voyager 1 by ESA's Deep Space Antenna located in Cebreros, Spain.
If you encounter issues navigating this section, please send us an email at space@vienna.com

Your name is waltzing through the stars.

Every single note from The Blue Danube Waltz has been claimed by 13,743 SpaceNote ambassadors from all around the world. Dive into the notes that have been sent into space.

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From Vienna Into the Universe.
Vienna, the world’s capital of music, is located in the heart of Europe. Its historic concert halls, prestigious ball events, and visionaries like Mozart, Beethoven, and Johann Strauss II have shaped a vibrant cultural legacy of creativity and excellence.
Johann Strauss II
Born into a renowned Viennese musical family in 1825, Johann Strauss II, celebrated as The King of Waltz, had the charisma and reach that it took to become the world’s first real pop star. His masterpiece, The Blue Danube Waltz, beautifully embodies Vienna’s spirit – a harmonious blend of grace, tradition, and a timeless testament to the city. Each year, the composition takes center stage at the iconic New Year’s Concert that is watched by millions worldwide.
Wiener Symphoniker
Every evening, 10,000 music enthusiasts listen to live classical music in Vienna – something that is simply unheard of in any other city in the world. The Wiener Symphoniker is the city's main concert orchestra and calls both the Musikverein and the Wiener Konzerthaus homes, where it performs a substantial number of its concerts. With 128 members, the orchestra is among the best in Europe and famous for its romantic repertoire. Founded to make classical music accessible to all, the Wiener Symphoniker will reach new heights in 2025, when – for the very first time – it performs for the vastness of outer space and any potential life forms that are out there.
Visiting Vienna in the Johann Strauss II Anniversary Year
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Strauss Events in 2025
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Strauss walk on ivie
Experience Strauss’s favorite spots, from iconic concert halls to charming cafés.
On board with Strauss
On board with Strauss
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Strauss's Gamification
Strauss's Gamification
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Vienna City Card
Vienna City Card
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Everything you need to know about Vienna's mission:

The selection for the two Voyager Golden Records, launched from Cape Canaveral (Florida, USA) in 1977, was a limited collection of music and cultural artifacts. These included 116 images, natural sounds from Earth, spoken greetings in 55 languages, and 27 of the world’s greatest songs. Notably, neither of the Voyager probes – now the most distant human-made objects in space – included Johann Strauss II’s ultimate Anthem of Space, The Blue Danube Waltz. Find out what may have happened when this iconic piece was left behind on Earth.

Voices of visionaries supporting our mission

Alexander Van der Bellen, President of Austria

If outer space had an anthem, then it would be The Blue Danube Waltz. Space and the three-four beat of the waltz. Why are they such a good fit? Perhaps it is down to the feeling of lightness that comes with dancing. Or because The Blue Danube Waltz reminds us that, as humans, we not only want to explore space, but are also looking to take something with us: art, poetry, music? For my part, I definitely find the idea attractive that Austria – that Vienna – is leaving behind a musical footprint in space in this way. So why not send The Blue Danube Waltz on its travels? I wish the mission all the best.

Michael Ludwig, mayor of Vienna

Ladies and gentlemen, There is a universal language. And it is the language of music. From this perspective, it’s only logical that Vienna – as the world capital of music – is sending its very first ambassador, Johann Strauss, on a mission into the infinite expanse of the universe. Johann Strauss is a superstar in his own right, whose sheer radiance shines just as bright as the stars in the night sky. To connect his music with the frequencies of other galaxies, the Waltz into Space mission will send The Blue Danube Waltz out into space. Once the Johann Strauss “melody rocket” takes off, there’s no reason for those of us back on Earth to be sad. On the contrary. On May 31, 2025, at 8:30 p.m., the Wiener Symphoniker will perform an interstellar concert at the Museum of Applied Arts. Under Chief Conductor Petr Popelka, the orchestra will play selected works with a galactic theme. All that’s left to say is: all systems go and here’s to a smooth lift off!

Eduard Strauss, Great-Grandnephew of Johann Strauss II

I think it's a great idea to have the project 'Waltz into Space' and I'm very happy and delighted that music of my family will go into space.

Carmen Possnig, ESA Astronaut Reserve

I think the Waltz into Space mission is a great idea because I believe The Blue Danube Waltz is the unofficial anthem of space and ultimately belongs there.

Kara Talve, Chief Composer for The Simpsons

The Blue Danube Waltz absolutely needs to be sent into space. It is the iconic anthem of space and it deserves to be there and I think the mission of Waltz into Space is an incredible idea.

Serena Sáenz, opera singer

Waltz into Space is a mission I really want to support because I find this idea very creative and original. I mean, who doesn't know the "Wiener Walzer"? I come from Spain and for me it's a big legacy that should be known in the whole world – which it already is now– but also in outer space. I would very much like to be sent into space myself but as I'm not able to do that, I'm supporting this project by sending one note of the waltz so that the Viennese waltz can be everywhere.

Petr Popelka, Chief Conductor of the Wiener Symphoniker

Not only this planet, but the whole universe is our home and the music of Johann Strauss is an important stone in the mosaic of music history and I'm so happy to make a new recording of The Blue Danube Waltz and send it out to space.

Marin Alsop, Chief Conductor Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra

I totally support the Mission Waltz into Space and I think the Blue Danube Waltz has to be included as part of this planet and the next.

Brian W. Cook, Assistant director to Stanley Kubrick

Of course I support the idea that The Blue Danube Waltz should be sent back up into space.

Markus Mooslechner, ESA Consultant, Terra Mater Studios

So I gladly support the Waltz into Space initiative, because – of course – The Blue Danube Waltz should be heard not only by humans but by ET and this is the perfect moment to get ourselves heard out there. Because the Blue Danube Waltz is the soundtrack of the universe.

Lilli Hollein, General Director of the MAK – Museum of Applied Arts

What a beautiful idea to send the Blue Danube Waltz into outer space with Waltz into Space with this unofficial anthem and to have the galaxy swinging to this incomparable tune. At the MAK, we are totally in line with this idea as a museum that looks at the history of design and also to the future and of course to how do we get to space so The Blue Danube Waltz is already there – We're joining!

Walter Werzowa, Composer and professor of film music

I support the Waltz into Space mission. Johann Strauss should not only be here on earth, he should be in the universe, he should be in space. He will connect the aliens with us and I dream of an alien dancing the Viennese Waltz with us.

Matthias Röder, Director of the Karajan Institute

The Waltz into Space mission is an incredible idea and I really endorse it. I want to hear what others are saying about The Blue Danube Waltz when they hear it for the first time. Maybe in my lifetime I will get some feedback, who knows?