A Festive Snapshot from Space Ignites Online Speculation
When a seemingly cheerful holiday photo emerged from the International Space Station (ISS), it did more than spread festive cheer—it sparked a flurry of conspiracy theories and debates across the internet.
Astronauts' Unexpected Extended Stay
NASA astronauts Sunita "Suni" Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore embarked on what was intended to be an eight-day mission to the ISS in June 2024.
However, due to technical malfunctions with their Boeing Starliner capsule, their return has been delayed multiple times, extending their stay indefinitely. As the holiday season approached, the duo found themselves still orbiting Earth, adapting to life aboard the ISS far longer than planned.
Holiday Cheer in Zero Gravity
In mid-December, NASA's Johnson Space Center shared a photograph featuring Williams and fellow astronaut Don Pettit donning Santa hats inside the ISS's Columbus laboratory module.
The image, captioned "Another day, another sleigh," showcased the astronauts engaging in holiday festivities, complete with a miniature Christmas tree floating in the background.
Social Media's Skeptical Buzz
The festive image quickly caught the public's eye, but not without raising eyebrows. Social media platforms buzzed with questions: "Did they take Santa hats with them before they launched?" one user pondered.
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