The internet was abuzz when Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams were spotted posing with Santa hats next to a tiny Christmas tree on board the International Space Station ( ISS). The images, which were taken earlier this month, appeared to be a lovely holiday treat until the inquiries began to surface.
” Did they take Santa hats with them before they launched”? On X ( previously Twitter ), one perplexed commenter mused. ” Or did they weave them while they’re away it”? Another asked:” These the exact guys who went up for an 8-day vision in June”? Some don’t avoid joking,” The Gilligan’s Island theme music is playing in the background”.
But not everyone was amused. One writer claimed that the whole place vision was a ruse after the festive scene sparked wild plot ideas. ” It’s all one big show”, they said. Another went yet further, suggesting that the pilots were floating in a Hollywood theater, never outer space.
But, what’s the real story behind the Christmas cheer at 250 yards above Earth? Turns out, the argument is little simpler—and a lot more colorful than people imagined.
The 3-ton supplies quest that SpaceX launched to the ISS in overdue November was confirmed by NASA, along with gifts and a little Christmas tree, according to the New York Post. As part of the shipment—designed to replenish food, medical equipment, and vision supplies—Nasa decided to pour in a small holiday magic for the astronauts.
Along with the regular goods like ham, turkey, potatoes, and produce, there were cakes, biscuits, and a few surprise adornments. After all, who wouldn’t want a bit of Christmas praise when stranded in place for months?
Suni Williams expressed her gratitude for the time in a picture message that came with the holiday decorations. ” It’s a great time up around. She referred to the seven astronauts already in orbit as “family,” and we get to spend it with everyone on the International Space Station. ” One of the best things about Christmas is the preparation, the suspense, and only getting ready for the trip. It’s the camaraderie that makes it special”.
This isn’t Williams ‘ second Christmas in place. In 2006, she spent the holidays in trajectory during a planned goal. However, this week’s Christmas in place is melancholy. For an eight-day vision aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsules, she and Wilmore boarded in June. But stuff didn’t go as planned. The spacecraft experienced many technical issues, including leaking and thruster malfunctions. In September, NASA made the difficult decision to return the aircraft to civilian service after several weeks of disruptions and discussions with Boeing.
Wilmore and Williams have been stuck on the ISS for almost seven months, which is far past their anticipated transfer time. They had planned to return home by this point, but their return to a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, which was actually scheduled to depart in February, has been postponed until late March.
While the condition may seem difficult, the astronauts have kept a good mindset, assuring the public they’re good and in great spirits. ” We’re feeling great, working out, eating right, and having fun up around”, Williams said earlier this year in a Nasa picture. People are concerned about us. Really, don’t care about us”.
