Christmas in space mystery: Astronauts’ festive photo sparks gravity-defying questions - 'Are they in film studio?'

Nasa’s latest holiday video has turned heads—not just for its festive cheer but for the gravity-defying questions it has raised online. The video, shared on Tuesday, features astronauts stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) wearing Santa hats and posing beside a small Christmas tree. The sight of these unexpected holiday items floating in zero gravity has fueled conspiracy theories across social media.
Christmas in zero gravity
In the video, astronaut Sunita Williams is seen wearing a red top while three male crewmates don Santa hats. The scene is completed by a small Christmas tree, all floating effortlessly in the weightlessness of space. Williams shared her joy, saying, “It’s a great time up here. We get to spend it with all of our ‘family’ on the International Space Station.” She added, “One of the best things about Christmas is the anticipation and everyone coming together to prepare for the holiday.”
However, it wasn’t just the holiday spirit that captivated viewers. The festive decorations in zero gravity immediately sparked curiosity.

Social media asks: how did the hats get there?
Many users questioned how the Christmas items made it to space when the astronauts originally embarked on an eight-day mission in June. "Did they pack Santa hats for an eight-day mission, or are they knitting them up there?" one user on X asked.

Others doubted the authenticity of the video, suggesting it might have been staged in a studio. One commenter joked, “Where’d they get the Christmas suits? This feels like the Space Station version of Gilligan’s Island.” Another quipped, “Imagine dealing with pine needles in zero gravity!”

Some speculated that the extended mission might not be what it seems. “Is this even real? Are they still stuck up there, or is it all a big show?”
“It’s all one big show,” wrote one commenter. Another user on X claimed the astronauts floating in space were actually in a film studio.

Nasa responds
In response to the online chatter, Nasa confirmed that a SpaceX shipment in late November delivered the festive items to the ISS. The three-ton delivery included not only holiday essentials—Santa hats, a Christmas tree, and festive food—but also standard mission supplies and scientific equipment. Nasa explained that the extra cargo space on the spacecraft allowed for these gravity-defying surprises.
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, whose eight-day mission began in June, remain aboard the ISS due to technical issues with their Boeing Starliner capsule. The spacecraft, which returned to Earth unmanned in September, suffered thruster malfunctions caused by leaks. As a result, their return has been delayed until March 2024, with the astronauts set to use a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule for the journey home.