April 25, 2007 11:04 AM PDT

Blast your best playlist into space

by Tim Moynihan

(Credit: European Space Agency)

Mars needs women, and astronauts need your MP3s.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is holding a contest to send the best astronaut-friendly playlist into space.

ESA will put the winner's playlist onto an iPod, then deliver it via the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), an unmanned ship making its maiden voyage in the fall of 2007. If all goes well, the iPod will reach the astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

(Note to ESA: Don't forget to deliver an iPod charger.)

Unfortunately, you can only participate if you're under 18 and from one of the countries participating in the ATV program: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, or Switzerland.

That's a space-bummer for those of us in the U.S. (and those of us who can't even remember being under 18), but I've been inspired to put together my own space-inspired playlists anyway.

Take a look at my astro playlists and post your own out-of-this-world lists in the TalkBack section below.

Playlist: Blast-off and reentry mix