Tributes to David Bowie have illuminated cyberspace overnight like the light from a million galaxies. Musicians and fans from all over the world have paid their respects to the late music icon, who passed away following a secret battle with cancer at the age of 69.
But perhaps one of the most fitting odes to the Star Man has come not from earth at all, but outer space.
British astronaut Tim Peake has tweeted his tribute to Bowie all the way from the International Space Station.
Peake, who’s been in orbit since December, took to the social network following the news of Bowie’s passing, writing: “Saddened to hear David Bowie has lost his battle with cancer – his music was an inspiration to many”.
Saddened to hear David Bowie has lost his battle with cancer – his music was an inspiration to many. @DavidBowieReal
— Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) January 11, 2016
Bowie fans need no explanation as to the significance of an extraterrestrial ode to the late music legend. Not only was everything Ziggy Stardust did completely out-of-this-world, many of his biggest songs were inspired by the interstellar, from Life On Mars to Space Oddity and beyond.
Space Oddity was actually covered – live from outer space – by Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield in 2013. At the time, Bowie called it “the most poignant version of the song ever created.”
Hadfield also took to Twitter following Bowie’s passing to pay his respects:
Ashes to ashes, dust to stardust. Your brilliance inspired us all. Goodbye Starman. pic.twitter.com/FbcxlAzces
— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) January 11, 2016
Relive Hadfield’s zero-gravity rendition of Space Oddity, below.
Watch: Chris Hadfield – Space Oddity (Live In Space)
