
On July 30th, in celebration of our 7th anniversary, Third Man Records will reveal their attempt to play the first phonographic record in space — a gold-plated 12” master of Carl Sagan’s “A Glorious Dawn” (a moving arrangement of Sagan’s sagacious words culled from his magnificent Cosmos series, previously pressed and distributed as a 7” in their first year of operation, 2009). This record marks our 3 MILLIONTH RECORD PRESSED! The vessel tasked with the mission —The ICARUS CRAFT — is a custom-built “space-proof” turntable attached to a high-altitude balloon designed by Kevin Carrico, who has NASA in his blood, and is responsible for assisting in the restoration of many of Third Man’s machines (Third Man Recording Booth) to working order. Kevin and the Third Man team are aided in their endeavor by SATINS (Students and Teachers in Near Space).

To celebrate the occasion, Third Man Records will be hosting (literal) launch parties at both its Cass Corridor and Nashville locations, where the viewing of the mission, as well as live bands, exclusive, commemorative merchandise, and limited edition, 12” gold vinyl copies of the 3 millionth pressing, “A Glorious Dawn” will be available for purchase, as well as a few other limited, exclusive LP offerings. In Detroit, the ICARUS CRAFT will be on exhibit with its creator Kevin Carrico answering questions, and in Nashville, the gold-plated record will be displayed. Visitors can take Third Man Impossible Project instant-photos with the ICARUS CRAFT, Gold-plated record, or with designer Kevin Carrico, if you ask him nicely.

Both parties will feature live music and DJ’s (to be announced this week) and will begin at 11am EST/ 10am CST with a takeoff time of exactly 12pm EST / 11am CST.
The pre-recorded launch will be shown at both locations AND streamed online (details to follow) however, exclusive records and merchandise will only be available at Third Man’s physical locations. To avoid waiting in line and be a part of the party at Third Man Cass Corridor and in Nashville’s Blue Room, Third Man Records will offer a limited number of the STELLAR TICKET, which grants access to entertainment and guarantees a bag set aside with your name on it containing each exclusive merch item and a copy of the record. STELLAR TICKETS are not yet for sale, and further details will be announced mid-week.
Those who opt not to purchase a STELLAR TICKET will still be able to purchase the record and merchandise in each respective storefront (the Carl Sagan Record will not be available until after the screening), but will not be guaranteed accommodation to watch the launch on-site or admission into the launch party.
Also in celebration of Third Man’s 7th anniversary, customers both in-store and online will receive 30% off their entire purchase!!! (Bundles and exclusive items do not apply. Cannot be combined with other offers or the Vault 10% off discount.) The discount will be taken at checkout.

Third Man Records is over-the-moon with excitement to pursue and share with you the ICARUS CRAFT’s mission to spin a record further from Earth than a record has ever been spun...Plan to join us and witness history in the making! You got something better to do?
Here is a great illustration of how the near space balloons work … http://www.space.com/images/i/000/018/416/i02/bloon-flight-phases-02.jpg?1339596518 My understaning is that there is a prerecorded presentation of the take off for these parties but the take off time is at 12 pm and the icarus device will be in Detroit while the gold record is in Nashville…. So… The actual launch already occured but the party launch will be at noon?
So take off is 9am Pacific Daylight Time. Correct?I assume the table is miked and we’ll hear the record? On the surface, this sounds like art meets science for a commerative lark. A marketable gimmick, says the cynic. ;-) But No, this is serious stuff. It takes The Right Stuff. ;) And the thrill is old school record playing Defying Gravity! Defying high altitude air pressure, the wind velocity, mechanical problems-hell, it’s a major Math and Science experiment! Very exciting! Very Third Man! As always, you have us at the edge of suspense and wonderment! Can’t wait for the launch and details! ..loling, Kali- “Icarus, stay well away from the sun”. Need to see that movie Sunshine again. I think I’ll appreciate it more.
Damn, this is quite the celebration, ill watch the stream from the UK beer in hand!
Wow. You guys have outdone yourselves! I am heartbroken I had to move from Nashville to Florida to help family this month…I cannot believe I am going to miss this event.
Congratulations, Jack and TMR on the anniversary and on this amazing accomplishment. Reading these beautiful comments proves once again that my fellow Vault members and I love you all to the moon and back! Like so many others, I wish I could be there in Nashville or Detroit to witness this history in the making. But, I’m so excited for those who can be there. (@Joseph Holman, sounds like Fate smiled on you!) I agree with @Kali Durga – Love to see that students and teachers were brought into this endeavor. This project is incredible on so many levels. WELL DONE, Jack and TMR and SATINS! (Also…Love the waxing poetic, ARLABAR3!)
“Up into that Sea of Space..Captain White dares to embrace..his, a dreamer’s lofty goal..erase all doubt of his brave soul..imagines, plots, recording thoughts..no man can understand that mind..our Captain Jack, one of a kind..he turns the tables..writes the fables…once upon a future able..to be quick and nimble Jack..all the galaxies look back..as we look up-and shout, Good Luck!”
Ahh great for you Joseph Holman :-)
I had already bought a bus ticket and reserved a room in Nashville a month ago so I could visit Third Man Records for the first time, on my birthday Sat July 30! I am excited beyond words that not only will I be there for this…its happening on my birthday!
I know the question we are all wondering or those that may be there. Will the tickets be in vault pre sale or will they be under the tickets heading on the main page?
Very cool! Waiting for live stream details.