Thanksgiving is all about family, good food, and holiday traditions. But what happens when you’re miles above Earth in space? NASA astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore are getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving in their own unique way aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The two astronauts, who took off in early June, have been living and working in space for almost six months now. Despite the distance from home, they don’t feel “stuck” or “stranded.” In fact, Suni calls space her “happy place,” even during their extended stay.
A Thanksgiving Feast in Space
Suni recently shared what their Thanksgiving will look like. She assured everyone that the crew is doing fine and even joked about the abundance of food they have stored. Their special space Thanksgiving menu includes smoked turkey, cranberry sauce, apple cobbler, green beans with mushrooms, and mashed potatoes. Sounds delicious, right?
Before the big meal, Suni plans to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, just like millions of people do back on Earth. She and Butch will share the holiday with fellow crew members Nick Hague, Aleksandr Gorbunov, and others from SpaceX Crew-9.
“Don’t Worry About Us”
While there have been concerns about their long mission, Suni reassured everyone that the team is healthy and in good spirits. Addressing questions about their spacecraft, she explained that although they arrived on the Starliner capsule, they’ll return home safely on a SpaceX Dragon. “There’s always been a plan to get us back,” she said confidently.
Suni also mentioned that she and her crew are staying fit, eating well, and feeling great. She encouraged everyone to stop worrying, saying, “Really, don’t worry about us!”
NASA’s Space Thanksgiving Traditions
Thanksgiving in space isn’t new. NASA shared that this year marks the third time astronauts like Butch and Don Pettit are celebrating the holiday up there. The menu hasn’t changed much over the years – smoked turkey, green beans, candied yams, and cranapple dessert have become classic space Thanksgiving dishes.
NASA also released a video message from Suni and her teammates, reminding everyone that their work aboard the ISS is more than just about celebrating holidays. They’re conducting research and testing technologies to prepare for future Moon and Mars missions, including NASA’s Artemis program.
A Thanksgiving to Remember
Even in the weightless environment of space, Thanksgiving traditions live on. With good food, holiday cheer, and teamwork, Suni Williams and her crew are making the most of their celebration far from home. So while you enjoy your holiday, know that they’re doing the same – just with a view that’s truly out of this world.
