Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have transmitted a festive Christmas message to those on Earth. In a video shared on YouTube, the crew of Expedition 74 showcased their holiday decorations, including a small Christmas tree and Santa hats, while discussing their experiences celebrating the holidays in space.
Commander Mike Fincke led the greetings, saying, “Greetings to planet Earth, all of our friends and family, from Expedition 74 aboard the International Space Station, flying high above.” He expressed his thoughts about family during this holiday season, highlighting the unique circumstances of spending Christmas in orbit.
Zena Cardman joined in with a light-hearted comment, “I think we may be orbiting a little higher than Santa is flying, though.” The crew’s festive message also conveyed a sense of camaraderie and support, with Fincke noting, “It’s also a little bit sad because we’re not with our families at this time, but actually, we are. We’re with our space family, so we’re okay.”
The astronauts took turns speaking, sharing personal reflections and well wishes. They acknowledged the emotional weight of being away from loved ones while emphasizing the importance of their shared experiences on the ISS. Cardman remarked on the special nature of celebrating the holidays together, saying, “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.”
Gratitude was a recurring theme in their message. The crew expressed appreciation for the families of the astronauts and the teams at Mission Control who support their mission. Cardman thanked those at home for their sacrifices, acknowledging the challenges faced by families during these times.
In addition to sharing heartfelt sentiments, the crew showcased their holiday spirit through decorations. Chris Williams pointed out their festive setup, including a small tree and Christmas stockings hanging by the airlock, stating, “So as you can see, we’ve got a little bit of decoration here.”
Kimiya Yui, representing the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), conveyed a sense of joy despite being away from home. He stated that Christmas is a festive occasion in Japan and that he is grateful for the support from his fellow astronauts. Yui promised to prepare traditional Japanese dishes for the crew’s holiday dinner, a gesture met with cheers from his teammates.
Fincke concluded the message with a warm holiday greeting, saying, “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. Merry Christmas, and a happy, happy New Year.”
Currently, Fincke, Cardman, Williams, and Yui are among the seven astronauts living aboard the ISS. The remaining crew members, which include flight engineers from Russia’s Roscosmos space agency, were not featured in the video.
As they celebrate this unique holiday season, the astronauts continue to embody the spirit of exploration and teamwork, reminding us all of the bonds that connect us, even when separated by vast distances.
