For a quarter of a century, the International Space Station (ISS) has been a symbol of human ingenuity and collaboration, continuously inhabited by astronauts orbiting 250 miles above Earth. Amidst groundbreaking research, these crews have also maintained deeply human traditions, celebrating holidays from Christmas to New Year's in the unique environment of microgravity.
These celebrations, adapted for life in space, serve as a vital link to home for astronauts from across the globe. They offer a moment of reflection and connection while traveling at an astonishing 17,500 miles per hour, underscoring the universal need for community and tradition, no matter the location.
Key Takeaways
- For 25 years, astronauts on the ISS have celebrated major holidays, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's.
- Holiday traditions are adapted for microgravity, from special meals to exchanging floating gifts.
- Food is specially prepared by NASA's Space Food Systems Laboratory, with festive treats sent on cargo resupply missions.
- Crews maintain connections to Earth through video calls with family and by sending holiday messages to the public.
A Tradition Adapted for Zero Gravity
Celebrating a holiday in space requires creativity. Earthly traditions must be re-imagined for an environment where nothing stays put. Over the past 25 years, international crews have developed their own unique customs, blending personal and cultural practices into a shared orbital experience.
Decorations are a common sight during festive seasons. Modules are adorned with stockings, banners, and even small, lightweight trees. In 2019, the Expedition 64 crew ingeniously used flashlights to create the warm glow of candles for their Christmas brunch. More recently, in December 2024, Expedition 72 Commander Suni Williams crafted a reindeer decoration using spare hardware and cargo bags, showcasing the resourcefulness required for life in orbit.
Gift-giving also continues, though with a twist. Small, carefully chosen presents are exchanged, floating gently from one crew member to another in the station's modules. These moments of camaraderie are essential for morale during long-duration missions far from home.
Orbiting at High Speed
The International Space Station circles the Earth approximately every 90 minutes. This means that over a 24-hour period, the crew experiences 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets, making the concept of a holiday "day" a unique scheduling challenge.
The Interstellar Holiday Feast
Food is a central part of any celebration, and life on the ISS is no exception. While astronauts' daily meals are focused on nutrition and practicality, holiday menus are a special affair planned months in advance.
Carefully Crafted Menus
Before launching, astronauts work with nutritionists and food scientists at NASA's Space Food Systems Laboratory in Houston. They select items for their mission, including special requests for holidays. These meals are designed to be both delicious and stable for long-term storage in space.
Cargo resupply missions often arrive just in time for the holidays, carrying what are known as "Holiday Bulk Overwrapped Bags." These special deliveries contain a variety of festive foods, including:
- Smoked turkey
- Green beans
- Smoked salmon
- Clams and oysters
- Shelf-stable candies and icing
These meals allow international crews to share a taste of home. For Christmas 2023, the Expedition 70 crew, comprising astronauts from NASA, JAXA (Japan), and ESA (Europe), gathered in the Unity module to share a festive meal together, a moment of unity high above the planet.
Connecting with Home from 250 Miles Up
Despite the immense distance, maintaining a connection with loved ones on Earth is a top priority for astronauts, especially during the holidays. Technology plays a crucial role in bridging this gap.
Video calls are a cherished tradition, allowing crew members to see and speak with their families. These private moments provide a powerful emotional link and a sense of normalcy amidst the extraordinary circumstances of spaceflight. Astronauts often gather to share these calls, supporting each other through periods of homesickness.
A Multinational Home in Space
The International Space Station is a collaborative project involving five space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (European Space Agency), and CSA (Canadian Space Agency). This partnership means that holiday celebrations often reflect a diverse mix of cultural traditions from around the world.
Crews also make a point to connect with the public. Every year, astronauts send holiday messages and videos back to Earth. These greetings often feature the crew floating in decorated modules, sharing their thoughts on peace, unity, and the spirit of the season from their unique vantage point.
These public messages serve as a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and the spirit of exploration that unites people across borders, even from the final frontier.
A Legacy of Celebration
Looking back through the photo archives reveals a rich history of orbital holidays. In December 2001, the Expedition 4 crew posed for a classic Christmas photo. A decade later, in 2011, the six members of Expedition 30 assembled in the U.S. Destiny laboratory for their own celebration. From ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti in 2014 to the crew of Expedition 50 in 2016, the tradition has been carried on by every generation of spacefarers.
These celebrations are more than just a break from routine; they are a fundamental part of the human experience in space. They help maintain psychological well-being, strengthen bonds between multinational crew members, and keep the connection to Earth and family alive.
As humanity looks toward longer missions to the Moon and Mars, the lessons learned from 25 years of holiday celebrations on the ISS will be invaluable. These traditions prove that even in the most remote and challenging environments, the human spirit's need for connection, joy, and celebration endures.