Space Flute Duet

NASA Astronaut Cady Coleman, Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson Perform First Space-Earth Duet. NASA Astronaut Cady Coleman, circling Earth aboard the International Space Station, and musician Ian Anderson, founder of the rock band Jethro Tull, joined together for the first space-Earth duet.




The duet took place to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Russian astronaut Yuri Gagarin’s first manned space flight in 1961. In her introductory remarks Coleman said that in addition to recognizing Gagarin, "We would like to celebrate the role that humans play in the exploration of our universe - past, present, and future.” She performed in zero gravity and whimsically let her flute float around as Anderson spoke at the end.

"We should remember that today's cosmonauts,scientists and astronauts are are still every bit the rocket heroes they were fifty years ago," the musician observed before saluting Coleman's image with the admonishment, "Go safely."