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Sunita Williams appeared with other NASA astronauts wearing Santa caps near a Christmas tree, sparking speculation on whether they were actually in space.
Sunita Williams and other NASA astronauts wished everyone on Earth on the occasion of Christmas. (Photo: NASA/X)
Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who are currently stranded at the International Space Station (ISS) for some months now, were recently snapped in Santa hats next to a Christmas tree, sparking a wave of questions online.
After celebrating Thanksgiving in space, the duo will celebrate Christmas and the New Year at the ISS as their initially planned eight-day mission stretched to months following numerous delays and setbacks. Their stay in space has been subject to heated discussions online, including Sunita Williams’ apparent drastic weight loss.
According to the New York Post, social media users became curious after the two NASA astronauts, accompanied by their colleagues Nick Hague and Don Petitt, sent Christmas greetings this week. Williams was seen wearing a red t-shirt, while three of her colleagues wore Santa caps next to a Christmas tree.
‘Did They Take Santa Hats To Space?’: Netizens Ask
Some users on X asked, “Did they take Santa hats with them before they launched? How did they know an eight-day-mission in Summer would last over 6 months until Christmas?” after the astronauts’ Christmas greetings. Another individual asked whether the astronauts had knitted the hats during their stay at the ISS.
Another commenter chimed in: “These the same guys who went up for an 8-day mission in June?” People cited the presence of Christmas decorations as part of a grand conspiracy and that the astronauts were not really in space. “It’s all one big show,” writes one commenter.
Another user claimed the astronauts were actually in a film studio instead of being in space. “LMAO they have the Christmas gear cause its all filmed at the Olympic pool at NASA HQ,” wrote a third individual.
What Did NASA Say?
NASA confirmed with the New York Post that the Santa hats – as well as other decorations, special presents for the ISS crew members and their Christmas meals, were part of a three-ton SpaceX delivery in late November. The ISS is replenished with supplies several times each year.
The food delivery included ham, turkey, potatoes, vegetables, and even pies and cookies. Other mission-specific and scientific items were part of the delivery. With some of the extra space, NASA also sent a few festive items for the astronauts, including the hats and a Christmas tree.
Williams wished everyone on Earth a happy holiday season. “It’s a great time up here, we get to spend it with all of our ‘family’ on the International Space Station. There are seven of us up here and so we’re going to get to enjoy company together,” she said.
The Indian-American astronaut was initially part of a mission that was supposed to last only eight days, but technical issues with their spacecraft forced them to an extended stay at the ISS. During the approach to the ISS, five of the 28 thrusters of the Starliner spacecraft failed, delaying their return till February 2025 on SpaceX’s Crew-9 Dragon capsule.
Their mission has been hit by another delay as NASA announced that the Crew-10 spacecraft, which would relieve Crew-9 and the stranded pair, would now launch no earlier than March 2025, and both teams would remain on board for a “handover period”.
This means that Williams and Wilmore would spend close to ten months in space, rather than the eight days as initially planned. Meanwhile, concerns have increased over Sunita Williams’ health due to her prolonged stay in space.
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Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)