Battleland

“Ground Control to Major Tom…”

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Chris Hadfield performing Space Oddity aboard the International Space Station.

For those of a certain age, David Bowie’s 1969 classic Space Oddity is a song for the ages. Now, at last, it has been performed where Bowie pretended to do it: from outer space, by International Space Station commander Chris Hadfield.

The longtime Canadian F-18 pilot plays the tune on a weightless guitar while singing the ditty with a half-decent voice.

He warrants Battleland’s notice for his CV. According to his official Canadian Space Agency bio, he flew the first CF-18 intercept of a Soviet Bear aircraft (that, and the fact that he flew A-7s, is a clue he’s no spring chicken; in fact, he’s a ripe 53).

And:

He attended the United States Air Force (USAF) Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, in California, and upon graduation, served as an exchange officer with the U. S. Navy at Strike Test Directorate at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. His accomplishments from 1989 to 1992 included testing theF/A-18 and A-7 aircraft; performing research work with NASA on pitch control margin simulation and flight; completing the first military flight of F/A-18 enhanced performance engines; piloting the first flight test of the National Aerospace Plane external burning hydrogen propulsion engine; developing a new handling qualities rating scale for high angle-of-attack test; and participating in the F/A-18 out-of-control recovery test program. In total, Hadfield has flown over 70 different types of aircraft.

Not only that: the Spider from Mars apparently likes the cover version. He’s telling his fans on his Facebook page to watch “the breathtaking video and hear Chris’s beautiful rendition.”

So here is is: