What happened to Major Tom?

Back in 1969 ( I know.. I'm old), David Bowie wrote a song called "Space Oddity". The story in the song is about an astronaut that has a very successful launch, but then something goes wrong.

I'm presenting the lyrics here courtesy of lyricsfreak.com

Ground control to major Tom
Ground control to major Tom
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on
(Ten) Ground control (Nine) to major Tom (Eight)
(Seven, six) Commencing countdown (Five), engines on (Four)
(Three, two) Check ignition (One) and may gods (Blastoff) love be with you

This is ground control to major Tom, you've really made the grade
And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear
Now it's time to leave the capsule if you dare

This is major Tom to ground control, I'm stepping through the door
And I'm floating in a most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today
Here am I sitting in a tin can far above the world
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do

Though I'm past one hundred thousand miles, I'm feeling very still
And I think my spaceship knows which way to go
Tell my wife I love her very much, she knows
Ground control to major Tom, your circuits dead, there's something wrong
Can you hear me, major Tom?
Can you hear me, major Tom?
Can you hear me, major Tom?
Can you...
Here am I sitting in my tin can far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do

So, what happened? Did the spacecraft malfunction and send him hurling into space or did he plan to not come back?

His last transmission says that his wife knows. Knows what? Did he mean that she knows that space flight is very risky and this could happen? Or did he mean that she knew what he was planning to do?

I've never been able to decide. What do you think?

reply to post by N3k9Ni


============================
David Bowie - Space Oddity
============================

Ground Control to Major Tom
Ground Control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on

Ground Control to Major Tom
Commencing countdown, engines on
Check ignition and may God’s love be with you

Spoken:
Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, One, Lift-off

This is Ground Control to Major Tom
You’ve really made the grade
And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear
Now it’s time to leave the capsule if you dare

“This is Major Tom to Ground Control
I’m stepping through the door
And I’m floating in a most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today

For here
am I sitting in my tin can
Far above the world
Planet Earth is blue
And there’s nothing I can do

Though I’m past one hundred thousand miles
I’m feeling very still
And I think my spaceship knows which way to go
Tell my wife I love her very much (she knows!)
Ground Control to Major Tom
Your circuit’s dead, there’s something wrong
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear....

“ am I floating round my tin can
Far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue
And there’s nothing I can do.?

- - - - -

Found it here...

What happened to Major Tom?

He became a junkie.

"Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know Major Tom's a junkie
Strung out in heaven's high
Hitting an all-time low:

If I try to answer your thread title's question with Major Tom lyric's, nicely provided by Tomten, I'd say his ship brought him where it wanted to. He says his ship knows where to go, so... Maybe with HAL, around or on Europa?...

Many years ago, I spent several days researching, and trying to find the answer to this particular question. Well that was until my momma told me not to look anymore.

Her exact words were:
"To get things done, you better not mess with Major Tom."

I haven't looked for him since she told me that.

reply to post by N3k9Ni

...but it did not end with Space Oddity.

Welcome to Part 2.
~~~Ashes To Ashes~~~

[color=CFECEC]Do you remember a guy that's been
In such an early song
I've heard a rumour from Ground Control
Oh no, don't say it's true

They got a message from the Action Man
"I'm happy, hope you're happy too
I've loved all I've needed to love
Sordid details following"

The shrieking of nothing is killing
Just pictures of Jap girls in synthesis
and I ain't got no money and I ain't got no hair
But I'm hoping to kick but the planet it's glowing

[color=CFECEC]Ashes to ashes, fun to funky
We know Major Tom's a junkie
Strung out in heaven's high
Hitting an all-time low

Time and again I tell myself
I'll stay clean tonight
But the little green wheels are following me
Oh no, not again
I'm stuck with a valuable friend
"I'm happy, hope you're happy too"
One flash of light
but no smoking pistol

I never done good things
I never done bad things
I never did anything out of the blue,
Want an axe to break the ice
Wanna come down right now

Ashes to ashes, funk to funky
We know Major Tom's a junkie
Strung out in heaven's high
Hitting an all-time low

My mother said, "to get things done,
You'd better not mess with Major Tom."