When the astronauts stranded at the International Space Station were pictured wearing Santa hats next to a tiny Christmas tree this week, internet commenters had questions.
Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, after all, launched in June on what was supposed to be an eight-day mission to space — but they’ve been stranded ever since thanks to problems with the Boeing Starliner capsule that was meant to be their ride home.
“Did they take Santa hats with them before they launched,” one commenter blithely asked on X. “Or did they knit them while they are there?”
Another commenter chimed in: “These the same guys who went up for an 8-day mission in June?” A third commenter joked “The Gilligan’s Island tune is playing.”
Still others seemed to think that the presence of Christmas decorations were a sign of a grand conspiracy, and that the astronauts aren’t really stuck in space. “It’s all one big show,” writes one commenter. Another X user claimed that the astronauts floating in space were actually in a film studio somewhere.
However, the explanation is pretty simple — and, in fact, rather festive.
The Post has confirmed with NASA that the Santa hats — as well as other decorations, special presents for the ISS crew members and Christmas meals — were part of a 3-ton SpaceX delivery in late November.
The International Space Station is replenished with supplies several times each year.
The food delivery included ham, turkey, potatoes, vegetables, and even pies and cookies. Other mission-specific and scientific items were part of the delivery. And with some of the extra space, NASA sent a few festive items for the astronauts, including the hats and Christmas tree.
In a video posted online, Williams wished everyone on Earth a happy holiday season.
“It’s a great time up here, we get to spend it with all of our ‘family’ on the International Space Station,” she said. “There are seven of us up here and so we’re going to get to enjoy company together.”
“One of the best things that I like about Christmas is the preparation and just getting ready, the anticipation, everybody getting together and preparing stuff and just getting ready for the holiday,” she continued.
It’s not Williams’ first Christmas in space: she was part of a planned mission in 2006 that was scheduled during the yuletide.
But this Christmas, Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore are supposed to be home with their families by now.
The two astronauts blasted off on June 5 on a Boeing Starliner capsule destined for the ISS. They were initially expected to be in orbit for about a week.
But the Boeing vessel was continuously plagued with issues, including leaks that made the thrusters malfunction. After a vigorous debate with Boeing, NASA opted to have the spacecraft return unmanned in September, leaving Williams and Whitmore stranded in space.
A SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule that is currently docked to the ISS will give them a ride home. It was initially scheduled to depart in early February, but that return date has now been postponed until late March.
At least publicly, the astronauts have put on a brave face, saying that they are in great spirits and good health, despite pictures that seemed to show a painfully gaunt Williams with significantly reduced body mass.
“We’re feeling good, working out, eating right,” Williams said in a NASA video earlier this year. “We have a lot of fun up here, too. So, you know, people are worried about us. Really, don’t worry about us.”