Astronauts Share Heartfelt Christmas Greetings from Space
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have delivered a festive message to Earth, celebrating the holiday season from their unique vantage point. In a video shared on YouTube, crew members Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, Chris Williams, and Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) showcased their holiday decorations, including a small tree and festive Santa hats.
“Greetings to planet Earth, all of our friends and family, from Expedition 74 aboard the International Space Station, flying high above,” Fincke stated, who commands the current crew. He expressed his thoughts during this special time, saying, “Thinking of you during this holiday season.” Cardman added a light-hearted note, quipping, “I think we may be orbiting a little higher than Santa is flying, though.”
The astronauts reflected on the bittersweet nature of celebrating Christmas in space. “It’s also a little bit sad because we’re not with our families at this time, but actually, we are,” Fincke remarked. “We’re with our space family, so we’re OK. And we’re looking forward to spending the holidays together.”
Sharing the microphone, each astronaut took a turn to convey their sentiments. They acknowledged the emotional challenges of being away from loved ones while celebrating as a crew. “It’s so special for us to share the holidays with each other here in orbit, and with all of the teams taking care of us on the ground,” Cardman added.
The crew expressed gratitude towards the families supporting them. “So we also want to say a great thank you to the families who are lending these crew members to us, and a thank you to those in Mission Control who will spend their holidays taking care of us, and to their families at home as well,” Cardman stated.
Fincke, Cardman, Williams, and Yui are part of a seven-member team currently aboard the ISS. The remaining crew members, flight engineers from Russia’s Roscosmos space agency, including Oleg Platanov, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, and Sergey Mikaev, were not featured in the holiday message.
The astronauts also showcased their skills in festive decorating. “As you can see, we’ve got a little bit of decoration here,” Williams said, pointing to a festive display on the hatch lock door. “We’ve got a little tree, and we’ve also hung some boots by the airlock with cheer.”
Yui shared insights into Japanese Christmas traditions, highlighting the importance of community during the holidays. Although he missed being with family, he expressed appreciation for the support from his teammates. “So from all of us aboard the International Space Station to all of you, we would like to wish you the happiest of holiday seasons, the happiest of Christmas,” Fincke concluded. “Merry Christmas, and a happy, happy New Year.”
This heartwarming message from space serves as a reminder of the enduring human connections that transcend distance, even when celebrated from orbit. The astronauts’ festive spirit shines brightly, reinforcing the bond among those who explore beyond our planet.
