Topics: News, World News, NASA
NASA gave people on Earth a little glimpse into the International Space Station, but everyone had the same question.
Sunita ‘Suni’ Williams, 59, and Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore, 61, have been stuck up in space for what must feel like an eternity at this point, but the two astronauts have repeatedly said they are in good spirits.
In fact, NASA released a video of the pair, as well as other astronauts with them, on the International Space Station just a few days before Christmas.
However, one details seen in the video has got people scratching their heads on social media.
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In quite an unfortunate turn of events, Suni and Butch have been stuck on the ISS for a lot longer than was initially intended.
They were launched into space from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida on June 5 and were only meant to be up there for an eight-day mission.
But as the Boeing Starliner Calypso approached the space station, the capsule’s thrusters malfunctioned, as well as five helium leaks.
Because of these technical issues, NASA deemed it too dangerous for the astronauts to travel back on the capsule, which eventually returned to Earth - leaving Williams and Wilmore stranded.
The pair are now expected to come back to Earth sometime in March 2025, if all things go to plan.
People on Twitter pointed out the fact the pair were only meant to be up there for just over a week so asked why they had Christmas decorations and hats.
“How did they Christmas stuff,” one social media user questioned.
Another said: “Did they take Santa hats with them before they launched in September or did they knit them while they are there?"
With a third asking: “Who delivered the Christmas hats and decorations? So you thought far enough in advance to pack them when extra space in the capsule is at a very high premium.”
The questioned even resulted in commander Nick Hague revealing the rather straightforward explanation.
He tweeted: “There’s no last-minute dash to the mall to get gifts on the Space Station. A team of elves had to pack up these gifts 6 months ago.”
For people still lost, others in the comments explained the crew regularly receive cargo from Earth to the space station.
And to answer your next question, it probably isn’t a good idea to send them back in the cargo ships not meant to house humans on the journey, no matter how much we would like to have the two astronauts back.
Either way, it seems the crew got to enjoy the festive season on the ISS, I mean how many people can say they have celebrated Christmas in space?
