Special Christmas Delivery for the International Space Station

Now that the Christmas holiday is upon us, those who are far away from home received a special Christmas delivery. The International Space Station will celebrate the born of Christ, too. Even if astronauts there are thousands of miles away from their friends and families, they will still celebrate Christmas. On December 13, a Japanese spaceship arrived at the Space Station delivering an exceptional package for six astronauts who miss their families during holidays.

• Astronauts living on the space station received a special Christmas delivery.
• The HTV-6 cargo ship played the role of Santa, bringing supplies and new clothes for the crew.
• The members of the crew were thrilled to receive the delivery.

The robotic HTV-6 of the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency was captured when using a robotic tool which helped it link to a berthing spot. The cargo ship delivered approximately five tons of supplies. This mission represents the sixth cargo delivery controlled by robots which reached the space station by using an HTV Kounotori vehicle.

Shane Kimbrough, who is a NASA astronaut and a station commander, claimed he was impressed by the extraordinary example of teamwork, support, and empathy for those who are away from their families during the winter holidays. Kimbrough captured the HTV-6 into an amazing picture while the vehicle was approaching the space station to deliver the necessary supplies.

Together with the French astronaut Thomas Pesquet of the European Space Agency, Kimbrough used the robotic arm of the space station to catch the HTV-6 while the space station sailed 402 kilometers over southern Chile. Flight controllers who are responsible for coordinating NASA’s mission control center in Houston manipulated the arm, guiding the Japanese cargo ship to the parking spot at a specified port on the Harmony module of the space station.

The HTV-6 vehicle set off into space on December 9, being filled with supplies, water, spare parts and even Christmas gifts for all six members of the Expedition 50 crew who are bound to celebrate Christmas on the space station. The crew of astronauts consists of three Russians, one French astronaut, and two American cosmonauts. Earlier this year, in October, Kimbrough declared before launching to the station that they are looking forward to receiving all cargo vehicles, every occurrence being like a Christmas celebration.

Every time a cargo ship reaches the space station, it feels just like Christmas when Santa brings a lot of gifts. The only difference is that Santa brings only necessary equipment and supplies, new clothes, fresh foods and new devices for those who celebrate Christmas in space.

Image courtesy of: wikipedia