Santa Hats, X-mas Tree In Sunita Williams' Christmas Video Sparks Debate, NASA Responds
NASA's Christmas video from the ISS sparked conspiracy theories due to astronauts having festive decorations, given their extended stay.
A Christmas video of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore shared by NASA has sparked debate and several conspiracy theories on social media. In the video, Williams and her three colleagues wear Santa hats extending their greetings on Christmas with a small X-mas tree also visible in the frame.
"Welcome to the International Space Station as we get ready for the Christmas holidays," Willimas said. " 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.
Christmas preparations and getting ready for it is her favourite part of the festival, Williams said.
The social media users were, however, quick to question the video asking if the astronauts knew that their stay at the International Space Station would be prolonged.
To everyone on Earth, Merry Christmas from our @NASA_Astronauts aboard the International @Space_Station. pic.twitter.com/GoOZjXJYLP
— NASA (@NASA) December 23, 2024
"Seriously? How did they know to have all these Christmas decorations with them when they were only going in an 8 day mission?" questioned one social media user. "How y'all get xmas gear up there, thought it was a short trip that got delayed returning," said another.
"It looks like a green screen video to me," according to another user.
The US space agency put all the doubts and theories to rest as it told the New York Post that the Santa hats, Christmas tree, and other decorations were sent to the ISS crew members as a part of a three-ton Space X delivery in late November.
NASA sends supplies to the ISS several times each year. Several food items were sent in the November delivery including ham, turkey, potatoes, vegetables, pies, and cookies. The consignment also contained other specific and scientific items, the Post report.
A few festive items for the astronauts, including the hats and Christmas tree were also sent in the extra space.
Williams and her colleagues had gone to the ISS in June this year for what was supposed to be an eight-day mission. However, they have since remained stuck up in space as their Starliner spacecraft malfunctioned. They were supposed to return home in February but that too has been delayed and will now return in March.
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