Playing an alto sax on Earth is already a challenge.
Can’t even imagine hitting the high notes with your diaphragm floating around in zero-G 😅
Massive respect to all astronauts – and extra kudos to those who bring wind instruments to space! 🚀🎷
#ZeroG #AstronautLife #SaxInSpace /Fin.

Photo by ESA: The image shows Jean-Pierre Haigneré, a French astronaut, inside a spacecraft or space station. He is wearing a dark blue shirt featuring the ESA (European Space Agency) logo and green shorts. He is seated in front of a laptop computer, appearing to be engaged in work or communication. The surroundings are cramped and densely packed with technical equipment, cables, and storage compartments. Large insulated ducts run along the ceiling, contributing to the complex and functional appearance of the interior.

Photo by ESA in Wikimedia commons: The image features a stylised red face with blue lips, a yellow star on the left side of the forehead, and one eye partially closed, giving it a surreal or symbolic appearance. Below the face, the word “PERSEUS” is prominently displayed in capital letters. In the background, there are small stars scattered across a dark field, evoking a cosmic or outer space setting. At the bottom of the image, there is Cyrillic text that reads: “Снес РКА РКК Энергия”, which may refer to Russian space institutions such as Roscosmos (RKA) and RKK Energia, a major spacecraft manufacturer. The year 1999 is also visible, suggesting the date of the mission or the creation of the artwork.

Fast forward a few years: French astronaut Jean-Pierre Haigneré spent 6 months on MIR during the Perseus mission.
He brought along an alto sax, played it multiple times, and it basically became a permanent resident of the station – and later, the ISS.
#MIR #Perseus #SaxInSpace 7/

Jarre renamed the piece Last Rendez-Vous as “Ron’s Piece”, a moving tribute 💫🎵
youtu.be/jtGG1WLP1pk?...
#JeanMichelJarre #SaxInSpace #RonsPiece 6/

The image features Jean-Michel Jarre and Ron McNair standing side by side. Jean-Michel Jarre, on the left, is wearing a light grey blazer over a dark shirt, presenting a formal yet artistic appearance. Ron McNair, on the right, is dressed in a dark brown and white collared shirt, reflecting a more casual style. Photo by Jean-Michel Jarre in X: The background is a plain, textured surface, which keeps the focus on the two individuals. This photograph captures a moment of connection between the renowned French composer and the American astronaut and physicist, both of whom shared a passion for music and innovation.

That wasn’t just any mission: first untethered spacewalks. And yep, a saxophonist blasting tunes in the Challenger cabin at low pressure. Absolutely iconic. 🎷💫 #SaxInSpace

McNair was later contacted by Jean-Michel Jarre to perform one of his new pieces on the next flight. 4/

Photo by NASA: The image shows astronaut Jessica Meir inside the International Space Station (ISS). She is floating in a microgravity environment, meaning she is not in contact with the floor and remains suspended in mid-air. Jessica is wearing a blue astronaut suit adorned with several visible patches, including the NASA logo and another representing an ISS mission. In her hands, she is holding and playing a saxophone, which adds an artistic and human touch to the space setting. Behind her is a large circular window, through which the Earth and parts of the station’s solar panels can be seen. This view connects the technological interior of the station with the majesty of the planet it orbits.

Photo by ESA: The image depicts astronaut Thomas Pesquet inside the International Space Station (ISS), floating in a microgravity environment. The astronaut is playing a saxophone, adding a musical and human touch to the high-tech setting of space. They are positioned near a large window, through which the Earth is clearly visible in the background, offering a striking contrast between the interior of the station and the planet below. The interior surroundings include technical equipment, cables, and structural elements typical of the ISS.

I already knew @pesquet.bsky.social had played from the ISS (he even closed the Tokyo Olympics from there!), and had seen pics of Jessica Meir (es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica...) playing one.
But the very first space saxophone session? Ron McNair in 1984.
#ISS #AstronautLife #SaxInSpace 2/

Photo taken by Graciela Gil-Romera at Cité de l'espace (Toulouse). The photo shows the inside of a MIR replica space module. You are looking through a circular hatch surrounded by thick flexible ventilation tubes and wiring. Beyond the hatch, mounted on a panel, is a gleaming golden alto saxophone. Just below the saxophone, attached to the same surface, there is a round mission badge with a red background and the name “Perseus” on it. The patch features a star motif and stands out with bright colours against the muted metallic surroundings.

Did you know that the very first instrument ever played in outer space wasn’t a guitar? It was an alto sax. Here’s the cosmic story of #SaxInSpace 👇
#SpaceHistory #MusicInSpace that I recently learnt ignited by walking @citedelespace.bsky.social & looking through one of MIR space modules. 1/