For nearly two decades, the International Space Orchestra(ISO) has been proving that space exploration is not just rockets and technology- it is also about culture, imagination and collaboration.

The International Space Orchestra is the world’s first orchestra composed entirely of space scientists, engineers, astronauts and researchers. Since its first performance in 2012 by the world's largest wind-tunnel at NASA Ames Research centre, the orchestra has performed and collaborated internationally with artists including Damon Albarn, Beck, Bobby Womack, The Prodigy, Sigur Rós, Savages, Kid Cudi, The Avalanches, Penguin Café, japanese composer Maywa Denki and more, appearing at venues and institutions including the Fillmmore Theater in SF, The Hollywood Bowl in LA, The Davies Symphony Hall in SF and on Amazon music or in films.

Founded by multidisciplinary creative and director Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian Ph.D in 2012; Two time Grammy-Award winner ISO musical director Evan Price conducts the orchestra from NASA Ames, California- making 2026 our 14 years anniversary.

Today, at a time when scientific collaboration across borders is under increasing pressure, the orchestra remains a rare example of international cooperation through culture.

This summer we are bringing together members of the orchestra once again to celebrate our 14 years of existence and to record a brand-new work and continue building a cultural future for space exploration. But this recording is much more than an album session. The piece will become part of a groundbreaking artistic and scientific experiment exploring how music can travel through space. Working with astronomers, radio observatories and researchers, we will use the composition as part of an experiment investigating the possibility of bouncing music and signals off the moon , extending our long-term research into moonbounce communications, extraterrestrial listening practices and cultural approaches to space exploration.

To make this happen, we need your help.

What the funds will support:

Music Direction

Recording day fee: $500

Petrol and local transport: $200

Orchestration of a new 3-minute orchestral work: $1,000

Rehearsals Three rehearsals @ $300 each: $900

Recording studio hire: $750

Recording engineer / technical support: $600

Audio editing and mixing: $500

Mastering: $500

Subtotal: $4,950

Travel & Production

Return flights (8–16 August): $1,200

Car rental (10 days): $700

Petrol and transport: $300

Per diem and food (10 days): $700

Subtotal: $2,900

Project Coordination & Production

The International Space Orchestra is an entirely independent initiative that requires significant coordination across scientists, musicians, engineers, recording facilities, researchers, film production partners and volunteers.

Project coordination and production management honorarium: £1,000 (10 days- reduced honorarium rate 100£/day) (approximately $1,350)

Studio / Working Space : $500

Patch design: $450

Patch production (50 patches): $250

Photography documentation: $150

Subtotal: $2,700

Community

BBQ & Gathering- 12 August A key part of the International Space Orchestra’s ethos is creating opportunities for scientists, artists, musicians and communities to gather informally and exchange ideas.We are planning a communal BBQ and gathering for approximately 37 participants on 12 August for our last rehearsal and during the total eclipse.

Budget includes:

-Food and refreshments

-BBQ equipment and consumables

-Vegetarian and vegan options

-Soft drinks and water

Estimated cost: $1,000

Contingency

Equipment hire

Bank transfer costs

Score printing

Insurance

Additional transport

Production expenses

Subtotal: $1000

TOTAL CAMPAIGN TARGET $12,550 USD

Any funds raised above this amount will go directly towards future International Space Orchestra recordings, performances, educational outreach activities and the continued development of our projects.

Why support us? The International Space Orchestra exists because we believe that the future of space exploration should belong to everyone. At a time when outer space is increasingly dominated by military interests and private corporations, the orchestra creates an alternative vision: one where scientists, artists, musicians and communities come together to imagine futures based on cooperation, curiosity and peace.

By supporting this campaign, you are not simply funding a recording. You are helping create a new musical work, contribute to an experimental space communications project, and support the development of a feature film exploring what peace might look like in the twenty-first century.

The recording will also become part of Heartsnatcher, an upcoming feature-length film and immersive project exploring peace, space science and collective futures. The film asks a simple but urgent question: how might we collectively re-engineer peace? Heartsnatcher imagines new forms of international cooperation following the upcoming decommissioning of the International Space Station.

Every contribution, no matter how small, helps keep this unique international collective alive. Thank you for helping us keep the music playing.

Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian Ph.D

Founder, International Space Orchestra

Founder, Experiences Department, SETI Institute

www.nellyben.com