NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS), brought festive cheer to the holidays with their recent Christmas celebrations. Photos of the duo in Santa hats alongside a tiny Christmas tree have gone viral, sparking curiosity and conspiracy theories online. Originally planned as an eight-day mission in June, their stay has stretched to nearly a year due to repeated delays.
The images, shared on Christmas Eve, show the astronauts wearing festive outfits. Social media users questioned whether they carried these items at launch or crafted them onboard. Others speculated the entire mission was staged, with one user claiming, “It’s all a big show.”
NASA responded to these claims, confirming that a SpaceX cargo delivery in late November supplied the ISS crew with festive decorations, gifts, and special meals. These included traditional holiday favorites like ham, turkey, vegetables, pies, and cookies. The delivery also brought …