SPACE watchers across the world were left with a great sense of disappointment following the crashing to earth last week of the Peregrine spacecraft.

But none more so than musician Basil Simon, from Sutton-in-Craven whose two songs were amongst the items being sent to the Moon on the US lunar lander.

Had it been successful, it would have been the first American mission in half a century to land on the Moon, and the first ever private venture to achieve the feat.

Instead, Astrobotic's Peregrine One got into difficulties soon after taking off, remaining in space for just 10 days before crashing in flames into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, January 18.

For a while Basil thought his songs, stored on a memory stick, would be destined to spend eternity in space, but it was not to be.

"I'm a bit disappointed that my songs won't be floating in space forever now, but some you win," he said.

Basil's two songs 'Blame it on the Moon,' a whimsical tale of a couple resolving disputes by attributing them to lunar influence; and 'Illusionary Lines' a human unity anthem challenging the borders created by wars, were included in a time capsule by delivery company DHL.

Their inclusion was by chance - after Basil's son, Jedakiah, found out there was space available.

Other items being carried on the lunar lander  or on the Vulcan Rocket which initially set the Peregrine off into space, were the DNA or ashes of several notable figures including science fiction writer Arthur C Clarke, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, and two original cast members James Doohan (Scotty) and Nichelle Nichols (Uhura); as well as US presidents George Washington, Dwight Eisenhower and John F Kennedy.

Basil said: " I found it incredibly strange and wonderful that my intellectual property was floating in space which what I thought would be forever with Gene Roddenberry. "Gene was an amazing humanitarian thinker who deserved the chance to be resurrected by aliens.

"I did imagine those aliens singing my songs as they brought him back to life."

There may however be hope for Basil's songs - as it is believed the Vulcan Rocket in still continuing into space. 

Basil, who in 2011 featured on television's X Factor, created by Simon Cowell, is currently working with local artists and is preparing to run a competition to find a talented rapper.

The competition will be named 'The Rap Factor' The winning artist will record original material in Basil's studio to be released worldwide.

Those eager to listen to these cosmic melodies can find them on popular streaming platforms, including Spotify.