SpaceX engineer becomes first person to play violin in space
- Sarah Gillis has already made a name for herself in recent weeks
- The SpaceX engineer has now made history as the first person to play a violin in space
- For her performance, she chose some music from Star Wars
Published on Sep 16, 2024 at 6:34 AM (UTC-4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Sep 16, 2024 at 8:38 AM (UTC-4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
In another SpaceX first, one of its engineers has become the first person ever to play a violin in space.
Sarah Gillis earned this distinction by playing a beautiful rendition of ‘Rey’s Theme’.
This piece is from the 2015 film Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Sarah’s stunning performance came during her stay on the Crew Dragon capsule as part of the Polaris Dawn mission.
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SpaceX brings Star Wars and classical music together
Fooatge of Sarah’s rendition were transmitted back to Earth through the Starlink satellite constellation.
In the circulated video, she was joined by several musicians on Earth.
They included young talents from The Boston String Academy in the United States, Dream Orchestra in Sweden, Brass for Africa in Uganda, and more.
Sarah’s enchanting performance has raised money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and El Sistema, the Violinist reported.
Speaking to El Sistema, Sarah said: “Music has been a defining force in my life, thanks to the unwavering support of both my parents.
“My mother, a music teacher, championed my classical training on the violin, which has helped shape me into the engineer and astronaut I am today.
“The discipline, work ethic, and creativity fostered through music set me on the path that led to this extraordinary adventure into space.”
A big week for Sarah Gillis
As if being the first violinist in space wasn’t cool enough, she was the second person to do a commercial space walk.
Her mission saw her putting SpaceX’s suits on display through a series of durability tests.
It’s hoped that these spacesuits will prove vital in the company’s future expeditions to the Moon or to Mars.
Introducing the video of her performance, Sarah spoke of her hopes that the global effort would promote unity.
She said: “As we travel around our beautiful planet Earth on this five-day mission, we wanted to share this special musical moment with you.
“Bringing together global talent, this performance symbolizes unity and hope, highlighting the resilience and potential of children everywhere.”
Rey’s Theme was originally written by conductor John Williams, who has worked on many of the Star Wars films.
As the name suggests, it is a homage to the titular character Rey, played by Daisy Ridley.
Star Wars has been a source of intrigue for countless people around the world, whether it be in sparking an interest in space, or becoming the theme of a 1974 Corvette.
The performance can be watched in full on YouTube.
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
