What’s Christmas Like on the International Space Station?

By Javed Baloch - Source: All images and information are credited to NASA and its partners. Dated 24/12/2024

Holiday Season in Space

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) celebrate the holidays in unique ways. 

(Credits: NASA)

While continuing experiments and maintenance, they enjoy Earth's view, share meals, and connect with loved ones.

(Credits: NASA)

Holidays at the International Space Station

Each expedition in Space honors holiday traditions while conducting research and maintenance.

(Credits: NASA)

In December 1968, Apollo 8 astronauts Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders became the first to spend Christmas in space.

Apollo 8: The First Christmas in Space

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(Credits: NASA)

They read from the Book of Genesis on Christmas Eve while broadcasting lunar surface images to an audience of one billion people worldwide.

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(Credits: NASA)

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth."  — Apollo 8 Genesis reading

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(Credits: NASA)

Skylab 4’s Festive Creativity

The Skylab 4 crew celebrated Christmas in 1973 with a handmade tree from food containers. They added colored decals and topped it with a comet-shaped cutout.

(Credits: NASA)

Astronauts Gerald Carr, Edward Gibson, and William Pogue enjoyed a festive meal, opened presents, and observed Comet Kohoutek during a spacewalk.

(Credits: NASA)

The Sangria Hanukkah in Space

In 1993, astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman celebrated Hanukkah aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour during the Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission.

(Credits: NASA)

The First Christmas on a Space Shuttle

In 1999, astronauts on Space Shuttle Discovery celebrated Christmas while repairing the Hubble Space Telescope. The crew enjoyed gourmet meals like duck foie gras and cassoulet. Since then, at least one American astronaut has celebrated Christmas in space every year.

(Credits: NASA)

Expedition 70’s Hanukkah Traditions

n 2023, NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli celebrated Hanukkah with a felt menorah made by her family. Since real candles aren’t allowed in space, she pinned felt flames for each night. Her dreidel spun endlessly in microgravity until meeting another object.

(Credits: NASA)

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