How the ISS Crew Marked Christmas in Space on December 25, 2025

On Christmas Day, seven astronauts aboard the ISS were in orbit high above the Earth, racing around the planet no fewer than 16 times at an incredible 17,500 miles per hour, while everyone else was down below opening presents and spending time with family and friends. Commander Mike Fincke led the Expedition 74 crew in creating a touching video message that was sent back down to loved ones, mission control staff, and families all around the world.

NASA astronauts Jason Williams and Zena Cardman joined Fincke, as well as Japan’s Kimiya Yui, to give some personal greetings that perfectly conveyed the combination of missing home and feeling close to everyone that comes with being in space.

Fincke began the video by wishing everyone on Earth a Merry Christmas, stating that the entire crew was thinking about their loved ones this time of year and missing home just a little less because they had each other up there in orbit. He reminded everyone that, while being apart from your family for the holidays is difficult, you may take comfort in knowing that you have your crewmates as a makeshift family. Cardman then went on to say how amazing it was to be celebrating the day with her space-mates in orbit, how grateful she was for their support, and how some people on Earth laughed when she quipped that she hoped they could fly higher than Santa on delivery night.

Williams then swept the camera around to reveal some of the festive touches the crew had put to the Kibo module’s airlock area, including a small Christmas tree floating in the corner and stockings strung everywhere, ready for some treats or notes to be placed in them. Yui then added some international flavor, adding that in Japan, they adore the holiday season just like everyone else, and he vowed to cook up some traditional Japanese dishes for the group’s Christmas supper, with the rest of the team cheering him on.

Special food pouches had already been delivered via resupply missions, so the crew had some rehydratable turkey, green beans, candies, and other treats designed specifically for weightless eating; they were all planning a big group meal together, floating around in one of the modules, eating and enjoying the taste of the season.

Even though they were only 250 miles apart, video calls allowed them to communicate with relatives back home in real time, resulting in a lot of laughing and stories being shared over the vastness of space. This was, of course, the 25th anniversary of the first time humans celebrated Christmas in space, which occurred in 2000 as part of Expedition 1; the tradition has evolved over the years, but the core remains the same: decorations, meals, messages, and the all-important connection between everyone.