SPACE SONGS

Words and Inspiration Featuring John Marmie

“To Educate, Entertain and Inspire the next generation of explorers”

Deputy Project Manager LCROSS (Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite)

About LCROSS and my role:

In 2009 NASA had a goal of returning to the Moon, Mars and beyond. The highly successful LCROSS mission was one of the first steps

in achieving that goal and changed textbooks forever by confirming the presence of water on moon. LCROSS provided answers that will

one day guide future plans as we take one small step towards lunar colonization. As the LCROSS Deputy Project Manager, I assisted in

ensuring that the day to day project tasks were done within budget and schedule. I was also fortunate to find a unique niche as the

LCROSS songsmith. On the weekends, I served as the team’s source of entertainment at the “celebratory gatherings”. Git’R’Done.

INTRODUCTION John Marmie NASA Ames Research Center Assistant Project Manager IRIS (Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph) About IRIS and my role: One of NASA’s many science goals is to study the dynamics of the sun,

we refer to this as Heliophysics. The primary goal of the IRIS mission is

to specifically understand how the solar atmosphere is energized. This

will allow us to better model and eventually predict solar events. Here

on Earth, we are directly touched by this release of solar energy in the

form of solar flares, coronal mass ejections, solar radiation and

geomagnetic storms. We refer to these changing environmental

conditions in near-Earth space as Space Weather. Less than one week

after the successful lunar impact of the LCROSS mission, as an

employee of NASA Ames Research Center, I began working on IRIS as

the Assistant Project Manager in a collaborative effort with the

Lockheed-Martin Solar and Astrophysics Lab, Lockheed-Martin Sensing

and Explorations Systems, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory,

Montana State University, Stanford and the University of Oslo. After

helping lead an exhausting journey to the moon, a mission to uncover

the secrets of the sun was a welcome venture. Although, it would have

been nice to experience some of that solar energy on the beaches of

Maui as an interim layover!

You’ll find all my material on Google Play at:

https://play.google.com/store/search?q=john+marmie

Signs are in the universe

Drifting out in space

Somewhere beyond the darkness

Lie the answers to the human race.

Stars shine deep in our galaxy

Will we see them face to face

I don’t know what lies tomorrow

Curiosity will lead the way.

I wanna go…faster, faster

Hands in the air we’re gonna crash

Searchin’ for the answers, like Galileo through his looking glass.

Thirst for reason…a dreamers eyes we gaze into

A sense of purpose known by few…

Like finding Water On The Moon.

If Galileo had his way

I’m sure he’d dance upon the stars.

What a wondrous sense of destiny

To be the first to set foot on Mars.

Round and round the Earth and Moon we race

One look back we say goodbye, It’s time to disembrace.

Followed into darkness by such sacrifice

We’re on our way…we’re on our way…..

WATER ON THE MOON

As the NASA Deputy Project Manager for the LCROSS (Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite) mission, I was flying to Kennedy Space Center for a working group. During an in-flight movie I noted a quote from Walt Disney which stated something like, We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we are curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. The LCROSS mission goal was to confirm the presence of water on the moon. After returning home, I combined these two inspirations to write Water On The Moon.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/main/index.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mJahYEWxQE

INSPIRATION

Today I flew up into space…

tryin’ to make the world a better place

I open my eyes to your bright smile.

You reach out and touch my face…

your warmth I openly embrace

So beautiful…so I stare for a while.

I’m pickin’ up your energy and all the things you do to me

I wonder if you even know…know that you’re a star.

Everyday…I spread my wings in outer space

Me and IRIS got our eye on you.

Round and round…sharin’ secrets with the ground

Me and IRIS got our eye on you.

…so unpredictable…so unpredictable.

This science I don’t understand…

but I’ll try to lend a helping hand

To all those bright people in the world.

Somewhere in that heliosphere

I yell and wonder who can hear

my radio is blastin’…I sing along.

Hey Mr. Jupiter…I wonder if you know that you’re simply not the star…star that I revolve.

Seems like a hundred million miles you’re apart from me

I try to understand your smile…and how you touch all those around you…in our galaxy.

IRIS

IRIS (Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph) is a Heliophysics mission that launched in 2013 with the goal to understand how the solar atmosphere is energized. The spacecraft will orbit the earth for at least two years sending a daily stream of solar secrets to the ground stations. IRIS will complement existing solar missions in a quest to understand how this solar energy affects all in the galaxy and attempt to predict solar behavior from a highly unpredictable source. After a recent mission to the moon, I figured there was just enough fuel left in the tank to explore the sun.

www.nasa.gov/iris

INSPIRATION

Like another science fiction novel

curiosity has left me in suspense

Could there ever be another planet like Earth

Could there ever be another you...I doubt it

I keep searchin' for clues that you exist.

One more time around and think I might have found

you baby...

And I gaze…deep inside a our galaxy

to a world I've been imagining

a glimpse of paradise

Amazing possibilities

Could you be...smiling right back at me

thru this looking glass in time

A good planet is hard to find.

Like the swirls in the sky of a Van Gogh Masterpiece

I stare in space and swear he traced distant galaxies

Did he close his eyes when he brushed the canvas

Did he think of you and smile when he made the

planets, picture perfect cosmic harmony

A starry night reveals your face, I think he might

found you baby.

Through Keplers eyes I see the light and all the

world around me...all the worlds around me

Mesmerized,hypnotized, I call your name and I call

your name and feel your warmth surround me

KEPLER

The centuries-old quest to discover other worlds like our Earth has been rejuvenated by the intense excitement and popular interest surrounding the discovery of hundreds of planets orbiting other stars. The Kepler Mission is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Every week I report to the NASA Ames Center director as does the Ames Kepler Project Manager. After hearing many exciting Kepler science updates, the imagination took over and inspired me to write about the endless possibilities.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWTo_V4ay3o

INSPIRATION

Every once in a while

I think about life in the universe.

Then I smile…knowin’ how you’re sittin’ there

thinkin’ of me. What’s beyond I don’t know….

But I’ll gladly go where the stars faintly glow.

I just want you to know that you have nothing to

fear…

Hey Hey Mom…I just want you to know I’m doin’

fine, just fine. It’s so beautiful…sooo beautiful.

Two more hours ‘til I touch down on unknown

ground… I just want you to know how happy I am to

be here. Hey Hey Hey Mom…you should see the

view from here.

Somewhere in space

Sunlight shines past this smile on my face.

Could I in my dreams…

travel faster than light through this galaxy.

I sit here alone and I wonder…what’s my destiny…

All alone my mind drifts off in space

Galileo must have felt the same way.

I just have to believe there’s a God that created this

masterpiece. So we go…so we go…so we go see....

VIEW FROM HERE

Approximately ten years ago I worked on a Mars Airplane concept study. It had become habit that every weekend I would call home and tell Mom and Dad about the latest thing I was working on. This particular week I said, “We are designing an airplane to potentially fly on Mars.” A week later, Mom calls and says with pause….”John, I don’t want you to go”. =)

This song is written as a letter home as I am two hours from landing on Mars.

INSPIRATION

I don’t wanna be the only one

left on Earth when all is gone.

Hold me closer when it comes.

I don’t wanna see the light of day

when nothing’s left but a cryin’ shame.

Hold me closer when it comes.

Cosmic vengeance unfurled

We’ll need a Superman to save the world

Danger’s knockin’ on our door

Where have all the heroes gone?

No time….no fear

hold tight Superman is here.

The only thing between you and me

is a little bit of gravity.

Tumbling with a reckless grace

could put an end to the human race.

Hold me closer when it comes.

Last chance for impunity

impossible’s a possibility.

or just hold me closer when it comes.

Not impossible to find myself livin’ in a lonely world

Not impossible to find myself livin’ in a lonely world

APOPHIS

APOPHIS is a 270 meter asteroid that will have a close encounter with Earth in 2029 then pass through a gravitational keyhole, a precise region in space no more than about 600 meters across, that would set up another close encounter on April 13, 2036. If it were to strike Earth, it would impact with an equivalent force of 510 megatons…or about 34000 times more explosive energy than in the “The Little Boy” atomic bomb used in WWII. Superheroes need only apply.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFlrAKd-jNA

INSPIRATION

Lately I…dreamed that I

was Superman and flew you to the moon.

Hypnotized…with laser eyes

I’d share a lunar secret or two.

We close our eyes and dreams collide

Could this be our paradise

a home for me and you.

Sometimes I…dream that I’m dancin’ on the moon

In steps of those who went before.

Sometimes I…feel like gravity is pullin’ me in search of

Something more.

Like the Star Ship Enterprise deep in space

We search for answers for the human race

There’s a time for reason…a time for just…

A time to get dirty and down in the dust.

There’s so much here

This atmosphere…it’s hard to breath

But dreamers see just fine.

Can life exist…in this emptiness

Impossible’s a word I’ll leave behind.

I’ll walk in shoes that carry you

One step for all mankind.

Determination…a lot of sacrifice

A little hot on the throttle

A little dust and light.

Answers hide in this universe

They’ll come a time when we leave this Earth.

Until that day…we do what we must

Time to get dirty and down in the dust.

LADEE

The LADEE mission is run out of NASA Ames and many of my friends work on the project. It’s destination is also familiar as many on the team worked on LCROSS. The IRIS mission also shares much in common with LADEE. Our Integrated Avionics Unit or main computer system and our communication devices are both made by the same vendors. IRIS and LADEE worked hand in hand to resolve issues together and work towards a common goal.

The moon will always have special meaning to me and my family as our names lie in a crater on the south pole of the moon, in the dust and ice. I had always wanted to write a song for the LADEE mission, but I would always think…”how do I write a song about lunar dust!?”. As with all NASA missions, I considered it a challenge. My goal was to push my own songwriting limits and come up with something a little different while still encompassing the greater NASA vision and the LADEE mission objectives. Throw in a few Superhero references and now it’s Hollywood and kids can relate. Enjoy!

http://www.nasa.gov/ladee

INSPIRATION

I'm a space cowboy on this rocket horse I ride

Fill the tank with danger open throttle overdrive

Strapped in my saddle kick the spurs let her loose

countdown from 10, Yippie ki yay, light the fuse!

Space cowboy

On this rocket horse I ride

I'm a space cowboy

Light the candle, kiss the sky.

My middle name is danger, adrenaline my wine

A John Wayne swagger, every day I walk the line.

Feel the rumble, the heart begins to race

Light the candle - salute - Yippie ki yay!

Glenn and Yuri

Armstrong, Collins, Buzz

Had all the right stuff

3 - 2 - 1!

I'm a space cowboy

Open the gate let her loose

I'm a space cowboy

Yippie ki yay, light the fuse!

Space cowboy

On this rocket horse I ride

I'm a space cowboy

Light the candle, kiss the sky.

SPACE COWBOY

This song is dedicated to all the Space Cowboys out there.

Giddy-up.

INSPIRATION

Imagination take me...

Destination unknown.

Beyond that mountain...

To the ocean deep below.

Time traveler through space

Talk with God face to face

Limitless my journey's end will be.

Whoaaa....Is anybody out there?

Whoaaa....What's my destiny?

Whoaaa....Why am I here?

Somethings got the best of me...

Curiosity.

Did life exist here...

unquenchables my thirsty road.

Can you hear me...

I scream but no one seems to know.

Dust hides the mystery's face

A god of war's resting place

How glorious your immortality.

Amazingly I touch your face

Lightyears away yet we embrace

I know you're there....I know you're there

Even though my eyes can't see...

CURIOSITY

INSPIRATION

“CURIOSITY” is the title track of my CURIOSITY album on Google Play. CURIOSITY, as you most likely know, is also human-kinds latest most-absolutely-incredible engineering and scientific marvel on the planet of Mars.

I am completely inspired by creativity, the endless imagination and driven by natural curiosity. I see it in my boy’s eyes daily. It best describes what drives us all to search for the ultimate answers to “Is anybody out there?”, “What’s my destiny?”, “Why am I here?”.

Verse one is inspired by my two boys and the imagination of Walt Disney who stated something like - We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we are curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.

During the CURIOSITY landing on Mars, I was glued to the television even though I was enjoying a few days away at a Cabin in Yosemite National Park. I couldn’t help but feel the excitement and shed a few tears of joy for the team, which for me was an all too familiar feeling from the LCROSS mission the night we impacted the moon. Verse two pays tribute to this amazing mission on Mars.

The bridge pays tribute to the Kepler mission and their endless search for Earth-like planets lightyears away. I know you’re there…

https://play.google.com/store/search?q=john+marmie

Space….the final frontier

Hold on tight…no Superman here.

Strange new worlds…seekin’ out new life

Wonder what Spock was really like.

Boldly…boldly… beam me up baby in red bell bottoms

Cause I ain’t…I ain’t comin’ back…

Just wanna have good time…dance all night

Fingers in the air…turn the gravity off!

There’s a party on the Star Ship Enterprise

Everybody on the bridge…time to come alive.

Beam me up Scotty….don’t wanna be…left behind..

There’s a party on the Star Ship Enterprise.

Voyages into deep space

Let’s boldly go back to the funky man’s day.

Computer…compute…is there life on deck.

Phasers….stun stun…come on Bones let’s have some fun

Those Klingons are lightyears away

Time to put the shields down…disco ball goes round

Let’s boogie in a time warped galaxy!

Stardate…1979

Warp speed Scotty kick her in to drive!

PARTY ON THE STARSHIP ENTERPRISE

INSPIRATION

I am absolutely in awe of the Star Trek series. Gene Roddenberry had imaginative vision well ahead of his time. At NASA we are working on devices that resemble the functionality of the tricorder. Wrist phones are now coming to market. We have stun guns…well, sort of. The 100 Year Starship (100YSS) is a joint U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) grant project to work toward achieving interstellar travel within the next 100 years.

Talk about influencing the future. Inspiring...

https://play.google.com/store/search?q=john+marmie

Countdown…strapped in the saddle

five more seconds till the steel bull battle.

One helluva ride….getty up let’s go.

Bust the gate…cut her loose

destiny and me…finally introduced.

She’ll take anywhere your mind will go.

Spurs and nerves…on a steel bronco

a space cowboys adrenaline rodeo!

5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1

Put the pedal to the metal

light the fuse and run.

Rocket fuel, guts and thrust.

Outlaws of gravity

one dynamite ride to infinity.

Nerves of steel and John Glenn tough…

Time to light it up.

Livin on the edge of danger

step too close and you’ll meet your maker.

Red lined to the limit….no stoppin’ now.

Sorry son…no second chances

gotta ride the hand that the dealer dealt ya.

It’s all or nothin’…time to double down.

Full throttle…feel the rush

ignition addiction…can’t get enough!

Danger Danger

Livin’ on the edge I’m a space crusader

on a mission…to save the world...I’m glory bound.

TIME TO LIGHT IT UP!

INSPIRATION

During the IRIS launch, to get pumped up I found myself listening to the Fall Out Boys

“My Songs Know What You Did - Light Em Up". I knew then that I needed to write my

own "Light it Up" song for future launches. So I turned on some AC-DC (loud I must

say)...and bridged the two. This song is a tribute to John Glenn.

A tidbit of trivia...

This is the first time I did not record an acoustic guitar. Blasphemy you say! Although, I

did record some of my vocals through the acoustic guitar. My Taylor guitar has a built

in microphone pick-up and as I was writing this song, I played my Taylor through a

distortion processor. I noted, as I was singing, that my vocals could be heard through

the guitar mic...and was being distorted. I really liked the sound so I recorded the

words "Time to Light It Up"...singing into my Taylor guitar. Hey...whatever works!

Turn it up to 11.579888999. That's the sweet spot.

https://play.google.com/store/search?q=john+marmie

LIVE LONG AND PROSPER