Space legend Buzz Aldrin, who made the first Moon landing with Neil Armstrong, has taken off in a new direction – rap music. Buzz, 79, recorded the track Rocket Experience, about his Apollo adventure, with Snoop Dogg and Talib Kweli.

Quincy Jones and Soulja Boy also make appearances on the session, the making of which was filmed for comedy website Funny or Die. You can see Buzz rapping here.

The single, released this week just before the 40th anniversary of Buzz’s flight to the Moon on Apollo 11, can be downloaded from iTunes.

The video includes Buzz getting a rap masterclass from expert Snoop. Soulja Boy calls the former NASA astronaut the biggest inspiration in his life.

Buzz, who runs the ShareSpace Foundation to promote science and exploration, says he wanted to make the single to reach out to youngsters. He says: “I have only two passions – space exploration and hip hop. I’m not too good at carrying a tune, but I do have rhythm.”

And he adds: “I want kids interested in space. It’s their future.” Buzz’s rather unlikely lines include:

“I tell the story about the time on the Moon now
The sky was black even though the sun shine down
Moon walking’s such a trip, it’s so fine
When you’re walking in the lunar dust.

“It took us four days riding on a rocket
To set foot for the very first time
I’m gonna tell you ’bout the meaning of it all
We came in peace for all mankind.”

Picture: A grab from the “making of” video for Rocket Experience. Buzz is centre (obviously) with Snoop left and Talib on the right. (Credit: FunnyorDie.com).

• Discover space for yourself and do fun science with a telescope. Here is Skymania’s advice on how to choose a telescope. We also have a guide to the different types of telescope available.