A Real 'Rocket Man'Tweets With Elton John

The first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station took a 'long, long time' to thank Elton John for his good wishes, then paid tribute to the singer as he explained why.

Dawn Ennis

The Advocate's news editor Dawn Ennis successfully transitioned from broadcast journalism to online media following another transition that made headlines; in 2013, she became the first trans staffer in any major TV network newsroom. As the first out transgender editor at The Advocate, the native New Yorker continues her 30-year media career, in which she has earned more than a dozen awards, including two Emmys. With the blessing of her three children, Dawn retains the most important job title she's ever held: Dad.

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Dawn Ennis

December 17 2015 4:05 PM EST

December 17 2015 4:37 PM EST

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When Elton John sent a tweet this week to the first astronaut from his nation to visit the International Space Station, he didn't pass up an opportunity for a little irony.

The legendary British pop singer tweeted a good-luck message to European Space Agency astronaut Tim Peake, "from one Rocket Man to another."

\u201cFrom one Rocket Man to another, good luck @astro_timpeake with your launch and mission! #Principia #spacerocks\u201d
— Elton John (@Elton John) 1450167855

The out singer-songwriter and his Twitter followers finally received a reply this morning from Peake, who is the first Briton in 20 years to reach orbit. His response likewise paid tribute to the song that is one of John's greatest hits, with a witty excuse for taking so long to tweet back.

\u201cThank you! Sorry for late reply. Was already in spacecraft when your message came in (zero hour 9 am). #spacerocks https://t.co/Dr9QHl4u7R\u201d
— Tim Peake (@Tim Peake) 1450350689

Peake's line about the time comes from the 1972 hit song about an astronaut who sings "it's gonna be a long, long time before touchdown brings me 'round again to find I'm not the man they think I am at home," and that "it's lonely out in space."

He'll find out soon enough. Peake is beginning a six-month stay aboard the ISS, dubbed the Principia mission.

Fans of these two married British dads retweeted their exchange hundreds of times, with Peake's tweet scoring more than 2,000 likes. Even Queen Elizabeth II sent her regards.

\u201cThank you, Your Majesty. I am honoured that you were watching, Ma'am. #Principia @BritishMonarchy https://t.co/Yg5zZS4rQy\u201d
— Tim Peake (@Tim Peake) 1450359050

Many seemed incredulous that their tweets could reach Peake in space. Even the respected British newspaper The Independent seemed impressed, given its headline: "First UK astronaut on International Space Station tweets from space." And one witty fan tagged another iconic British pop artist, who's known for singing about an astronaut named Major Tom, in hopes he might join the conversation: