NASA astronaut Sunita Williams poses as 'Santa' in a recent selfie, shares Christmas plans from space

Don Pettit and Suni Williams pose for a fun holiday season. (Image: NASA)

Astronaut Sunita Williams and her crewmates are gearing up to celebrate Christmas aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The festive spirit is alive in space, as the team prepares for the holiday season far from home.

On December 17, NASA’s Johnson Space Centre shared a heartwarming photo of Williams and astronaut Don Pettit. The pair, donning Santa hats, posed cheerfully inside the ISS's Columbus laboratory module. The caption on NASA’s social media read, “Another day, another sleigh,” adding a festive touch to the moment.

The astronauts plan to mark Christmas with special meals and video calls to connect with loved ones. These meals will be prepared using fresh supplies delivered by SpaceX’s recent robotic cargo mission, which brought 2,720 kilograms of equipment and festive gifts to the ISS.

Another day, another sleigh @NASA_Astronauts Don Pettit and Suni Williams pose for a fun holiday season portrait while speaking on a ham radio inside the @Space_Station's Columbus laboratory module. pic.twitter.com/C1PtjkUk7P
NASA's Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) December 16, 2024

Extended Mission and Future Plans
Williams and fellow astronaut Barry Wilmore, originally on an eight-day Boeing Starliner mission in June, have had their stay extended due to technical delays. NASA confirmed their return aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule in February 2025.

During their extended stay, the astronauts have participated in educational outreach programmes. They’ve shared insights about life in space with students on Earth, fostering curiosity about space exploration.

The ISS crew's dedication to science and festive celebrations showcases the human spirit, even 400 kilometres above Earth.