The Zune, Microsoft’s failed digital music player from the early 2000s, has been given a second chance aboard the International Space Station (ISS), after performing a cameo in Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and other Marvel movies. Microsoft and its collaborators plan to resurrect the famously ill-fated gadget through 3D printing technology.
Microsoft has partnered with aerospace manufacturer Redwire to 3D print the Microsoft Zune on the ISS station, Redwire newly announce. The Zune player made a rare appearance at the end of the game Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 as a heel for Joke – A nostalgic reminder of the little music player that just couldn’t. Microsoft launched the Zune in 2006, five years after Apple unveiled its flagship iPod. Unfortunately, Microsoft’s digital music player couldn’t compete with the iPod, and it was discontinued six years after its debut.
In the film, Chris Pratt’s character, Star-Lord, upgrades his music-listening device from a Walkman to a Zone, a tongue-in-cheek reference to the old (always outdated?) digital player. “That’s what everyone on Earth is listening to nowadays,” Star-Lord says of his first generation Zune. Of course, Star Lord’s last memory of Earth was during 1970s, so the Zune He was It was truly a game changer for him.
Star Lord is still based on the Microsoft Zune in the third installment of the popular movie series, with the gadget also appearing alongside him in Avengers: Infinity War And Avengers: Endgame.
with the The latest movie in the series In theaters this week, Microsoft has fully embraced the Zune’s reputation and released a full version website dedicated to its tools flop. The site also contains a short advertisement in which a file Guardians of the Galaxy Superheroes pay a brief visit to the International Space Station, with a space station astronaut delivering the fictional superhero Star-Lord a new Zone to replace his broken module..
The Zune website aims to promote STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) Education among students, creating various space-themed activities on the website for young explorers. As part of its campaign, Microsoft will use its onboard Redwire additive manufacturing facility ISS National Laboratory for the 3D printing of her deceased instrument.
Mike Gold, Chief Growth Officer at Redwire, said in a statement statement. Redwire is proud to bring together our superhero team with Microsoft and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 To help educate and inspire real-world students to pursue careers in STEAM.”

For those hoping to see a fully functional unit come out of that 3D printer, you may be disappointed. In response to a query from Gizmodo, a Redwire spokesperson confirmed that the company will craft a mockup of the Zune aboard the International Space Station. “No music will be played,” the spokesperson explained. in a letter. “This print is a tool, and this project helps us tap into the excitement of the next issue release Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 movie, as an opportunity to engage a new audience who loves science fiction and make them learn more about the real science that happens on the International Space Station, Including 3D printing.
The Commemorative Mission comes with a neat patch, featuring Rocket and Cosmo from the Marvel films, as well as the Zune and ISS. And on that note, this isn’t the first time the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise appeared on the International Space Station. In 2016, Marvel designed ISS correction to include the movie’s favorite duo, Rocket and Groot, as the space-traveling enthusiasts.
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