The holiday spirit is reaching new heights as NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her fellow crew members set to enjoy a cosmic Christmas aboard the International Space Station.
Williams, along with Barry Wilmore, is currently on the ISS and in high spirits ever since SpaceX’s 31st robotic cargo mission departed the space station for Earth after delivering essential supplies and some holiday gifts.
Nasa’s Johnson Space Centre shared a cheerful image of Williams along with fellow astronaut Don Pettit, donning Santa hats, captured in the Columbus Laboratory module of the ISS.
“Another day, another sleigh,” read the caption. “[NASA Astronauts] Don Pettit and Suni Williams pose for a fun holiday season portrait while speaking on a ham radio inside the [Space Station]’s Columbus laboratory module,” the post on X read.
Another day, another sleigh
@NASA_Astronauts Don Pettit and Suni Williams pose for a fun holiday season portrait while speaking on a ham radio inside the @Space_Station's Columbus laboratory module. pic.twitter.com/C1PtjkUk7P
— NASA's Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) December 16, 2024
The astronauts seem to be preparing to celebrate Christmas with special meals and connecting with their family and friends over video calls. The meals they are to enjoy will reportedly be prepared using the fresh supplies delivered by the robotic cargo mission. The robotic capsule reportedly delivered 2,720 kg of supplies and equipment for experiments to the station.
In addition to the holiday festivities, the astronauts are engaging in educational outreach. Through live video sessions, they are inspiring students on Earth by discussing life in space, the challenges of microgravity and encouraging interest in STEM fields.
In early June, Williams and Wilmore were on an eight-day mission on the Boeing Starliner capsule. However, owing to subsequent technical difficulties, their stay was extended by over three months. After months and several developments, Nasa announced that the duo will return in the SpaceX Dragon capsule in February 2025.
