When astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams have been photographed carrying Santa hats subsequent to a tiny Christmas tree aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the web went into overdrive. The images, taken earlier this week, appeared like a pleasant vacation deal with—till the questions began flooding in.
“Did they take Santa hats with them earlier than they launched?” one curious commenter mused on X (previously Twitter). “Or did they knit them whereas they’re up there?” Another requested: “These the identical guys who went up for an 8-day mission in June?” Some couldn’t resist joking, “The Gilligan’s Island theme music is taking part in within the background.”
But not everybody was amused. The festive scene sparked wild conspiracy theories, with one commenter claiming that the whole area mission was a hoax. “It’s all one huge present,” they stated. Another went even additional, suggesting that the astronauts have been floating in a Hollywood studio, not outer area.
So, what’s the true story behind the Christmas cheer at 250 miles above Earth? Turns out, the reason is way less complicated—and much more festive than anybody imagined.
Nasa confirmed that the Santa hats, together with presents and a tiny Christmas tree, have been a part of a 3-ton resupply mission that SpaceX launched to the ISS in late November, reported the New York Post. As a part of the cargo—designed to replenish meals, scientific tools, and mission provides—Nasa determined to sprinkle in a bit vacation magic for the astronauts.
Along with the standard foodstuffs like ham, turkey, potatoes, and greens, there have been pies, cookies, and some shock decorations. After all, who would not desire a little bit of Christmas cheer when stranded in area for months?
In a video message that accompanied the vacation decorations, Suni Williams shared her gratitude for the season. “It’s a good time up right here. We get to spend it with all of our ‘household’ on the International Space Station,” she stated, referring to the seven astronauts at present in orbit. “One of the most effective issues about Christmas is the preparation, the anticipation, and simply preparing for the vacation. It’s the togetherness that makes it particular.”
This isn’t Williams’ first Christmas in area. In 2006, she spent the vacations in orbit throughout a deliberate mission. But this 12 months’s Christmas in area is a bittersweet one. She and Wilmore launched in June for what was imagined to be an eight-day mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule. But issues didn’t go as deliberate. The capsule skilled a number of technical points, together with leaks and thruster malfunctions. After a number of months of delays and discussions with Boeing, Nasa made the powerful resolution to return the spacecraft unmanned in September.
As a outcome, Wilmore and Williams have been caught on the ISS for almost seven months—well beyond their anticipated return date. They had hoped to return dwelling by now, however their journey again aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, which was initially set to depart in February, has been delayed till late March.
While the scenario may appear powerful, the astronauts have saved a constructive perspective, assuring the general public they’re wholesome and in excessive spirits. “We’re feeling good, figuring out, consuming proper, and having enjoyable up right here,” Williams stated earlier this 12 months in a Nasa video. “People are nervous about us. Really, don’t fear about us.”
