From Rock God to Space Explorer: How Brian May’s Anthem for NASA Echoes Humanity’s Endless Curiosity

Brian May, the iconic guitarist of Queen, is known worldwide for his musical genius, but few know that behind the rock star persona lies a deep-rooted passion for astrophysics. May’s journey from the bright lights of the music world to the vast expanse of space exploration is a testament to his unyielding curiosity and his desire to contribute to humanity’s understanding of the universe.

It all began back in the early 1970s when May was a promising astrophysics student at Imperial College London. While most of his peers were focused on their research, the allure of rock ‘n’ roll beckoned. At the age of 27, May set aside his thesis on light reflection through interplanetary dust to join a band called Queen. Little did the science world know, they were about to lose a future astrophysicist to the world of music. But as fate would have it, May’s love for science was never far from his heart.

In 2007, after more than three decades, May returned to the world of academia and completed his PhD, titled A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud. This moment marked a new chapter for the rock star turned scientist, as May became an unexpected hero in the scientific community, with his achievements earning him an honorary fellowship and the prestigious role of chancellor at Liverpool John Moores University.

But May’s true return to space exploration came in 2015 when he was invited to join NASA’s New Horizons mission. As a member of the science team, May contributed to the exploration of the farthest reaches of the solar system, including a flyby of Pluto. The mission captivated May, as he marveled at the unprecedented journey of a space probe venturing past Ultima Thule (486958 Arrokoth) in the Kuiper Belt—a place no man-made object had ever reached before.

Then, in 2018, NASA’s Alan Stern invited May to write and perform a song to mark this monumental moment. Stern’s challenge was simple: could May capture the essence of this historic journey with music? The result was “New Horizons”, an anthem that encapsulated the human spirit’s relentless quest to explore the unknown. May, inspired by the groundbreaking mission and its symbolism of humanity’s drive to understand the universe, picked up his guitar and began to craft a theme that would accompany the space probe’s epic journey.

The song, which premiered on New Year’s Day 2019 at NASA’s control center at Johns Hopkins University, was as optimistic and uplifting as the mission itself. Featuring an introduction with samples from the late Stephen Hawking and lyrics co-written with Don Black, New Horizons became an instant symbol of space exploration, blending May’s childhood fascination with space and his deep admiration for the scientists pushing the boundaries of what humanity can achieve.

May’s involvement in the project was a full-circle moment. After years of touring with Queen, receiving accolades, and playing in front of millions, the rock star had found a way to contribute to the field that had always been his first love—astrophysics. His anthem was more than just a song; it was a celebration of mankind’s insatiable curiosity and our unrelenting drive to reach beyond the stars.

Despite the personal challenges he faced, including recovering from a stroke in the summer of 2023, May remains committed to both music and science. His passion for space exploration, environmental activism, and the pursuit of knowledge shows no signs of waning. In the years to come, we can expect more contributions from this incredible polymath who has proven that it’s never too late to return to your roots, whether it’s strumming a guitar or gazing through a telescope.

Brian May’s New Horizons is not just a love song to NASA—it’s a tribute to the endless curiosity that defines us as humans. From his rock god status to space explorer, May’s journey is a testament to the power of combining passion with purpose, and to the belief that we can always reach for the stars.