Amid floating candy sticks and a snowman made from packing bags, astronauts aboard the International Space Station wished a Merry Christmas to Earth’s inhabitants.
Expedition 72 mission commander Sunita Williams, dressed in festive reindeer antlers, joined NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore, Donald Pettit and Nick Hague to create a holiday atmosphere 420 kilometers above Earth.
“This is a special time here at the station,” Williams shared in a video message recorded on 23 December. – We celebrate it together as one big family.”
“At Christmas, you want to be close to your family, but we’re in orbit this year,” said Nick Hague. – We thank the ground teams who work tirelessly at mission control centers to support us.
In all, seven astronauts from different countries have come together to enjoy and share the festive spirit. But unlike the others, the Starliner crew – Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore – are celebrating Christmas in orbit involuntarily, because there were no plans to stay here. Their return to Earth has already been delayed for the second time.
The food prepared by the Earth teams added to the coziness of the festivities. Donald Pettit commented in the video, “Christmas is always associated with food, and we have everything for a real feast.” In the space, even small details like the artificial Christmas tree and decorations with pictures of families remind us of the warmth of home.
Barry Wilmore added religious significance to the holiday, noting, “Christmas is Christ. Hallelujah, a Saviour is born.” His words were accompanied by a heartfelt wish: “Merry Christmas!”
The astronauts urged fellow countrymen to observe the night sky, reminding them of the visibility of Venus and other planets. They were also invited to familiarise themselves with the history of the Star of Bethlehem, which, according to astronomers, could be an astronomical phenomenon.
The space celebration on the ISS is not only a reminder of the unity of humanity but also an inspiration to each of us, even if we celebrate far away from our loved ones.
Earlier we reported on how the military began to track Santa Claus.
Provided by Space
