NASA astronaut Sunita Williams prepares for Christmas celebration in Space; dons Santa hat
PTC Web Desk: NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her team aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are gearing up to celebrate Christmas in space. Following a recent cargo delivery via the SpaceX Dragon capsule, which included supplies and holiday gifts, NASA shared a festive image of Williams wearing a Santa hat.
The space agency took to X (formerly Twitter), posting: “Another day, another sleigh. NASA Astronauts Don Pettit and Sunita Williams pose for a fun holiday season portrait while speaking on a ham radio inside the ISS's Columbus laboratory module.”
The crew plans to recreate holiday traditions in space, enjoying specially prepared meals made from fresh ingredients sent from Earth. They will also connect with loved ones via video calls to mark the occasion.
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
Sunita Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore have been on the ISS for six months, with their return to Earth scheduled for February. Initially embarking on an eight-day mission in June, the duo faced unexpected delays after their aircraft malfunctioned.
Last month, during Thanksgiving celebrations in space, Sunita Williams addressed rumours about her health and apparent weight loss. Speaking to NBC News, the Indian-origin astronaut assured that there was no food shortage aboard the ISS. “We’ve got Thanksgiving-like foods, such as smoked turkey, cranberry, apple cobbler, green beans, mushrooms, and mashed potatoes,” she said.
The speculation stemmed from a photo showing her with a hollow-cheeked appearance, which caused global concern about her well-being. Williams explained that her appearance was due to the redistribution of body fluids in microgravity, dismissing any health concerns.
- With inputs from agencies
