NASA Responds to Conspiracy Theories After Sunita Williams’ Christmas Video Sparks Questions About Prolonged Space Stay

A video of Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams celebrating Christmas aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has gone viral, sparking widespread debate on social media. In the clip, Williams is seen adorning the station with festive decorations and sharing a heartfelt message.

The sight of Christmas decorations during what was initially an eight-day mission raised curiosity among viewers. Some speculated that the crew may have anticipated an extended stay, while others expressed surprise at the level of festive preparation in space.

One user sarcastically commented on the choice of supplies, saying, “Clearly, Christmas hats were a top priority when sending essentials.”
Another quipped, “Looks like they could have hitched a ride back to Earth with whoever delivered the Santa hats. Maybe they brought them along when they left in June for their 8-day mission?”

NASA addressed the online criticism regarding Christmas decorations on the ISS, explaining that the festive items, including decorations, gifts, and holiday meals, were part of a scheduled three-ton SpaceX delivery in late November. The agency confirmed that these supplies had been planned well in advance, according to a report by The New York Post.

NASA elaborated that the festive supplies sent to the ISS, such as hats and a Christmas tree, were included in a routine shipment of provisions delivered throughout the year. The latest delivery featured food items like ham, turkey, vegetables, pies, and cookies, alongside mission-specific equipment. The ISS is currently home to seven astronauts and cosmonauts.