In an unprecedented fusion of art and exploration, astronaut Sarah Gillis performed a breathtaking violin solo while orbiting Earth, marking the first-ever live solo performance in outer space.

During the Polaris Dawn mission, Gillis delighted listeners with ‘Rey’s Theme,’ a beautiful composition by John Williams from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Performed 250 miles above Earth, this unique concert was made possible through a live transmission via Starlink satellites, capturing the hearts of viewers back home.

Gillis played her hauntingly soulful piece aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft, with her crew members as the audience. The performance was skillfully synchronized with a symphony orchestra in Los Angeles and child musicians from around the globe, including talented young musicians in Haiti, Sweden, and Venezuela, illustrating the universal language of music.

In a video introducing her record-setting performance, Gillis remarked, “As we travel around our beautiful planet Earth on this five-day mission, we wanted to share this special musical moment with you.” The event, dubbed the ‘Harmony of Resilience,’ sought to inspire young minds and raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and El Sistema USA, organizations dedicated to providing creative opportunities for children.

Gillis shared the transformative impact of music on her life, crediting her mother, a music teacher, for fueling her passion and discipline. “Music has been a defining force in my life,” she stated, emphasizing her belief that every child deserves access to music education.

Interestingly, Gillis noted that ‘Rey’s Theme’ represents unity and hope, echoing the very essence of Rey’s character in Star Wars—a skilled engineer and a beacon of resilience reflecting the potential within children everywhere.

In addition to her musical milestone, earlier in the mission, Gillis and mission commander Jared Isaacman completed a remarkable 106-minute spacewalk, testing SpaceX’s new EVA suits designed for future missions, potentially paving the way for exploratory endeavors on the Moon and Mars. They also set a new human spaceflight altitude record, soaring to 875 miles above Earth—an achievement not seen since the Gemini 11 mission in 1966.

This extraordinary moment not only showcases Gillis’s remarkable talent but also serves as a poignant reminder of the powerful bond between music and space. The ethereal notes of John Williams’ composition resonated far beyond the cosmos, uniting musicians and music lovers Earth-wide in an unforgettable celebration of creativity and exploration.