Jon Hopkins and Ólafur Arnalds have teamed up with NASA to create a special song that will travel to the moon on a tiny disk called NanoFiche.
Hopkins, with Arnalds’ help on strings, crafted "Forever Held," inspired by Erica Bernhard’s "love letters from Earth to space." Bernhard, NASA’s creative director, believes Hopkins captures the vastness of space while keeping us connected to life’s rhythms here. You can watch her video for the song below. Coldplay used part of this song in their intro for Moon Music, which is linked to Space for Earth, NASA’s first public immersive experience located in Washington D.C. Alongside the music, Bernhard’s letters and video images will also make their lunar journey.
Hopkins shared his thoughts: “I took this opportunity to create a full orchestral piece. I wanted to make something timeless that would transmit the feeling of being ‘held’ by the Earth.” He reflected on how delicate yet strong our planet is and how humans play a big role in its future.
Bernhard explained that space isn’t just a backdrop but an active dimension where invisible talks happen between Earth and satellites. The view from space changes your perspective—astronauts call it the overview effect—and Hopkins’ music captures this shift perfectly. His soundscapes connect us with both realms, making us think about our place in the universe and our duty towards our world .
Fans often wonder if such projects might change how we see ourselves and our responsibilities here on Earth.
This year, Hopkins released his album Ritual and appeared on Charli XCX’s album too. In December, he’ll perform alongside Aaron and Bryce Dessner from The National at London’s Southbank Centre during a short film screening titled All of This Unreal Time.
