Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) celebrated Thanksgiving with a holiday feast that included traditional foods and the arrival of new crew members. The celebration took place approximately 250 miles above Earth and marked a unique blend of cultural exchange and camaraderie among the diverse group of astronauts and cosmonauts.
NASA astronaut Mike Fincke shared his enthusiasm in a video message, stating, “This is my second Thanksgiving in space, so I highly recommend it.” To ensure that the crew could enjoy a meaningful meal, NASA prepared a special “Holiday Bulk Overwrapped Bag” (BOB) for the occasion, which included an array of festive items such as clams, oysters, crab meat, quail, and smoked salmon.
Festive Menu and Cultural Exchange
The menu also featured traditional Thanksgiving staples adapted for space, including turkey and mashed potatoes, all packaged to prevent crumbs from floating in the cabin. Astronaut Zena Cardman expressed her appreciation for the thoughtful preparations made by NASA. “Our ground teams and the food lab at NASA have taken such great care of us,” she noted.
Cardman added, “We’ve even got some lobster, which is amazing. So I think it’s going to be a really, really delicious meal.” Fincke highlighted the inclusion of cranberry sauce sent by the Russian space agency, reflecting on the emotional significance of the holiday. “I’m going to miss my family, of course. But I’m up here with my space family, and it’s really awesome,” he said.
The celebration was further enriched by the diverse crew aboard the ISS. Alongside Fincke and Cardman, Jonny Kim of NASA and three Russian cosmonauts joined the festivities, along with Kimiya Yui from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Yui emphasized the importance of cultural respect in their shared environment, stating, “We don’t have Thanksgiving in Japan, but here, on the ISS, everybody respects each other’s culture.”
New Arrivals Enhance the Celebration
The holiday gathering was made even more special with the arrival of new crew members. Chris Williams and two Russian cosmonauts launched aboard the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 04:27 a.m. EST on November 27, 2023. After a swift three-hour journey, they docked with the ISS at approximately 10:10 a.m., bringing the total number of astronauts and cosmonauts aboard to ten.
Food plays a significant role beyond nutrition for astronauts living in isolation. Mark Marquette, museum director with the U.S. Space Walk of Fame Foundation, explained that holiday meals help maintain emotional well-being in space. “Good old comfort food. And this is what I think Thanksgiving represents in space,” he said. He noted that recreating familiar dishes contributes to a sense of humanity, which is vital during extended missions.
Even in microgravity, Thanksgiving remains a special moment for astronauts to pause, share, and feel connected, transcending the vast distance from Earth. As they gather for their festive meal, the crew aboard the ISS exemplifies the spirit of togetherness that defines this cherished holiday.
