Microsoft & Marvel Bring The Zune Player Back… In Space
Remember the good ol’ days of the Walkman, iPod, and MP3 players? Well, during the bygone era, there was a gadget that didn’t gain quite as much traction as its counterparts: the Microsoft Zune. The failed launch was discontinued just six years after its launch.
Now, after appearing in Marvel movies, including Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, the digital music player is staging a comeback. But this time, instead of appealing to consumers here on Earth, it’s vying for a second chance on board the International Space Station (ISS) in space.
Aerospace manufacturer Redwire recently announced that Microsoft had tasked it with recreating the device through 3D printing. The company will be tapping on its Additive Manufacturing Facility on board the ISS to bring the gadget back from the dead.
For those unfamiliar with Marvel lore, the Zune’s place in the Guardians of the Galaxy universe began at the end of the second movie, in which Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) “upgrades” from a Walkman to a Microsoft player.
The cheeky reference continues in the third film of the popular series, with the character even holding on to the gadget while appearing in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. It’s safe to say this is probably the most publicity the Zune has gotten since the millennium.
Unfortunately, the firm revealed that the 3D printer could not produce a fully-functional version of the Zune. A spokesperson told Gizmodo the iteration on board the ISS will only be a mockup of the device, which will not be able to play any music.
Empower your galaxy. Your next mission awaits at https://t.co/PGd2HXahib. 🚀 Experience @MarvelStudios’ #GotGVol3 only in theaters 5/5.
— Microsoft (@Microsoft) May 4, 2023
With the latest installment launching in cinemas soon, Microsoft has launched a dedicated website to the “flop” of the Zune. On the page, a short video shows the superheroes visiting the ISS to replace Star-Lord’s broken digital player with a new unit.
Jokes about dated gadgets aside, the website’s main aim is to help promote science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education to young people. Students can explore the different space-themed activities on the page to get their interest going.
“Space is critical to inspiring future generations. Redwire is proud to bring together our own superhero team with Microsoft and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 to help educate and inspire students in the real world to pursue careers in STEAM,” said Redwire Chief Growth Officer Mike Gold.
