When astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams were photographed wearing Santa hats next to a tiny Christmas tree aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the internet went into overdrive. The photos, taken earlier this week, seemed like a delightful holiday treat—until the questions started flooding in.
“Did they take Santa hats with them before they launched?” one curious commenter mused on X (formerly Twitter). “Or did they knit them while they’re up there?” Another asked: “These the same guys who went up for an 8-day mission in June?” Some couldn’t resist joking, “The Gilligan’s Island theme song is playing in the background.”
But not everyone was amused. The festive scene sparked wild conspiracy theories, with one commenter claiming that the entire space mission was a hoax. “It’s all one big show,” they said. Another went even further, suggesting that the astronauts were floating in a Hollywood studio, not outer space.
So, what’s the real story behind the Christmas cheer at 250 miles above Earth? Turns out, the explanation is much simpler—and a lot more festive than anyone imagined.
Nasa confirmed that the Santa hats, along with presents and a tiny Christmas tree, were part of a 3-ton resupply mission that SpaceX launched to the ISS in late November, reported the New York Post. As part of the shipment—designed to replenish food, scientific equipment, and mission supplies—Nasa decided to sprinkle in a little holiday magic for the astronauts.
Along with the usual foodstuffs like ham, turkey, potatoes, and vegetables, there were pies, cookies, and a few surprise decorations. After all, who wouldn’t want a bit of Christmas cheer when stranded in space for months?
In a video message that accompanied the holiday decorations, Suni Williams shared her gratitude for the season. “It’s a great time up here. We get to spend it with all of our ‘family’ on the International Space Station,” she said, referring to the seven astronauts currently in orbit. “One of the best things about Christmas is the preparation, the anticipation, and just getting ready for the holiday. It’s the togetherness that makes it special.”
This isn’t Williams’ first Christmas in space. In 2006, she spent the holidays in orbit during a planned mission. But this year’s Christmas in space is a bittersweet one. She and Wilmore launched in June for what was supposed to be an eight-day mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule. But things didn’t go as planned. The capsule experienced multiple technical issues, including leaks and thruster malfunctions. After several months of delays and discussions with Boeing, Nasa made the tough decision to return the spacecraft unmanned in September.
As a result, Wilmore and Williams have been stuck on the ISS for nearly seven months—way past their expected return date. They had hoped to come home by now, but their ride back aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, which was originally set to depart in February, has been delayed until late March.
While the situation might seem tough, the astronauts have kept a positive attitude, assuring the public they’re healthy and in high spirits. “We’re feeling good, working out, eating right, and having fun up here,” Williams said earlier this year in a Nasa video. “People are worried about us. Really, don’t worry about us.”
