Brian May of Queen has recorded a new song dedicated to Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.

The Soviet cosmonaut became the first human to fly into space 50 years ago yesterday (April 12). May, who is famously a Doctor of Astrophysics, has recorded the song with electronic music pioneers Tangerine Dream.

The song, as yet unnamed, will debut at the Starmus Science And Music Festival on the Spanish island of Tenerife to be held June 20-25. They will also record a second song dedicated to cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, who was the first man to carry out a space walk. Both songs will be based on “cosmic” sounds, a festival spokesman said.

May’s love of astrophysics is no rock star whim. He delayed study for his Ph.D. (doctorate qualification) to pursue his career with rock band Queen. May completed his academic papers over 30 years on, in 2007.

“I worked on my thesis at Imperial College [London] from 1971 to 1974 when I had to give it up because Queen became a full-time thing. I kept all my notes and I was able to find them in my loft and start working on them again,” May recalled in 2006.

May is co-author, with legendary British astronomist Sir Patrick Moore, of the book Bang! The Complete History of the Universe.