On Nov. 24, 2024, Expedition 72 crew members made a reindeer from stowage bags, clips and other materials already aboard the station, NASA reported. The improvised decoration shows how a crew living at its workplace can adapt familiar traditions to the materials at hand. [S1]
A different adaptation helped NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli celebrate Hanukkah during Expedition 70. Her family made a felt menorah, and she pinned felt lights for each night of the eight-day holiday because real candles cannot be lit aboard the station, NASA said. [S1]
NASA's history also describes holiday observance alongside demanding work on Skylab 4 in 1973. Astronauts Gerald Carr and William Pogue spent seven hours on a Dec. 15 spacewalk changing film canisters and observing Comet Kohoutek. Back inside, the crew shared a holiday dinner, contacted their families and opened presents. [S1]
Source documents
- Celebrating the Holiday Season in Spacehttps://www.nasa.gov/general/celebrating-the-holiday-season-in-space-2/