Commander Chris Hadfield records Space Oddity in Space.

Chris Hadfield’s use of Social Media from the International Space Station has inspired the next generation of scientists and sparked intergalactic curiosity to countless people around the world.

Forbes magazine have described him as the “most social media-savvy astronaut ever to leave the Earth”.

Here’s his parting YouTube gift > a stunning rendition of Bowie’s Space Oddity.

The Guardian reported last week that ‘Hadfield has used his Twitter feed and high-powered camera to bring the beauty of the world’s curves, protrusions and colours – as well as the banalities of space – to hundreds of thousands of people on social media.’

Spaceships glowing blue in the dawn as we leave Florida headed across the Atlantic. twitter.com/Cmdr_Hadfield/…

— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) May 12, 2013

‘With seemingly incessant 140-character bursts accompanied by stunning photographs shot from a glassed-in section at the bottom of the space station orbiting 400km above the Earth, the former fighter pilot with a love of music and a poet’s turn of phrase has seen a 15-fold increase in Twitter followers since he blasted off on a Soyuz rocket before Christmas.’

Almost time to leave Station. Hard to express all of my emotions, but mostly gratitude. I came here on behalf of so many people – thank you.

— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) May 12, 2013

He’s showed us his kitchen in space preparing a 0-g treat. Free-floating food-eating ensues, complete with a tumbling tortilla.

Twitter: twitter.com/Cmdr_Hadfield