The song received the 1970 Ivor Novello Special Award for Originality.
Three primary studio versions of "Space Oddity" exist: an early version recorded in February 1969, the album version recorded that June (edited for release as a single), and a 1979 re-recording.
It was the opening track of Bowie's second studio album, David Bowie.
It became one of Bowie's signature songs and one of four of his songs to be included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
The song is about the launch of Major Tom, a fictional astronaut, and was released during a period of great interest in space flight.