Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have transmitted a festive Christmas message to Earth, showcasing their unique holiday experience in orbit. In a video uploaded to YouTube, crew members Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, Chris Williams, and Kimiya Yui from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) shared glimpses of their holiday decorations and space dinner, including a small tree and festive Santa hats.
The crew members conveyed warm greetings from their vantage point high above the planet. “Greetings to planet Earth, all of our friends and family, from Expedition 74 aboard the International Space Station, flying high above,” said Mike Fincke, the commander of Expedition 74. He emphasized the importance of family during this season, expressing, “Thinking of you during this holiday season.”
In a light-hearted moment, Zena Cardman added, “I think we may be orbiting a little higher than Santa is flying, though.” The astronauts took turns sharing their feelings, acknowledging the bittersweet nature of being away from their loved ones. “It’s also a little bit sad because we’re not with our families at this time, but actually, we are,” Fincke remarked. “We’re with our space family, so we’re okay. And we’re looking forward to spending the holidays together.”
Celebrating holidays in space is not new for these seasoned astronauts. The crew members expressed their gratitude for the camaraderie they share, describing their experience on the ISS as a family celebration in its own right. “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,” Cardman added.
Fincke, Cardman, Williams, and Yui are part of a seven-member crew currently residing aboard the ISS. The other astronauts, including flight engineers from Russia’s Roscosmos space agency—Oleg Platanov, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, and Sergey Mikaev—did not participate in the video.
The astronauts also showcased their festive decorations, with Williams highlighting the efforts made to create a cheerful atmosphere. “So as you can see, we’ve got a little bit of decoration here,” he said, pointing to a display on the hatch lock door. They decorated with a small tree and even hung boots by the airlock for added cheer.
Yui shared his perspective on celebrating Christmas away from home. He noted that in Japan, the holiday is a festive occasion, and while separated from family, he feels supported by his fellow astronauts. He promised to prepare traditional Japanese dishes for their holiday meal, which drew cheers from his crewmates.
As the video concluded, Fincke extended heartfelt wishes to viewers back on Earth. “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,” he said. “Merry Christmas, and a happy, happy New Year.”
The crew’s message serves as a reminder of the human spirit and connection that transcends the vastness of space, especially during this festive time of year.