Astronaut, singer perform first space/Earth duet

We know astronauts have a some down time while living and working on the International Space Station. Whether it's building Lego models or playing digeridoo on the house vacuum cleaner, they have hobbies. Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield's hobby just happens to be writing tunes with Ed Robertson from the Barenaked Ladies. The duo recorded the song together while Hadfield soared above Earth looking out from the ISS observation deck, linked up with Robertson in an Earth-bound studio.

The song, released on February 8 is called "I.S.S. (Is Somebody Singing)" and recounts the experience of being in space, missing one's home and family. The duet was mixed with the addition of the rest of the members of the Barenaked Ladies and a youth choir called the Wexford Gleeks, from the Wexford Collegiate School of the Arts.

Hadfield and Canadian singer Ed Robertson have known each other for ten years, meeting when the astronaut provided a tour of Mission Control in Houston. Although other astronauts have performed with various instruments on the ISS, this collaboration marks the first space and Earth duet.

It's also a clear case for Canadian pride as all the contributors hailed from Canada and recorded the song in a Toronto studio. The duo even penned a shout out to his nation in the chorus: " 'If you could see our nation from the International Space Station."

Music is clearly a passion for astronaut Chris Hadfield. Even though he's a pretty busy guy prepping to become the first Canadian Commander of the ISS next month, he still has found enough time to write enough songs to fill an entire album.

There's not much left to say about this ISS first but "Go Canada!"