Special Christmas, Santa Claus Visits ISS Astronauts For The First Time

Photo illustration (Caleb Woods / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - There are many interesting things when Christmas Day takes place. One of them is for astronauts who live on the International Space Station (ISS). For the first time Santa Claus visited them.

But actually this is not the real Santa, but a simulation by North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and Analytical Graphics, Inc (AGI). Launching Space, Friday, December 25, this was seen when NASA uploaded an animated video made by NORAD showing Santa riding his sled.

The video was uploaded on Twitter. Santa is seen circling the ISS delivering gifts to astronauts. "Thanks to the magic of the Santa sled, he made a special stop on his way this year, to the International Space Station," says the narration in the video.

Are you waiting up for a visit from Santa's sleigh? Our @NASA_Astronauts are doing the same! This year @NORADSanta is making a special stop to the International @Space_Station to deliver presents. Track where else he's going: https://t.co/TAfztY2fO7 pic.twitter.com/H0RHyTb7fC

- NASA (@NASA) December 24, 2020

"The NORAD satellites have seen Santa on the right track to the ISS and the astronauts who live and work there."

It is known, this is not the first time NORAD has made this kind of thing. The agency has indeed launched some sort of Santa trip tracking site when it comes to delivering Christmas gifts around the world. You can try it by clicking here: Norad Santa.

Even so, this year's Christmas celebration is quite different. On December 23, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted Santa and his reindeer troops a license to fly into space and manned flights to the ISS.

Santa flies into space using StarSleigh-1 powered by Rudolph Rocket. Rudolph the reindeer is clearly seen in the video illuminating the darkness of space with his red nose.

Unfortunately, Santa looks less secure because he is seen wearing only a space helmet. However, an AGI spokesperson said Santa and his reindeer do not need space suits because of their magical abilities.