Life Aboard the ISS

Life aboard the International Space Station (ISS) offers an experience that is truly out of this world. Along with the mesmerizing views of our planet and the unique sensation of microgravity, astronauts face challenges that fall far from the ordinary, such as performing everyday tasks like using the restroom in space and donning specialized gear for spacewalks.

Celebrating New Year’s in Space

Orbiting Earth at an impressive speed of approximately 17,000 miles per hour, the crew on the ISS experiences a remarkable 16 sunrises and sunsets within a single 24-hour cycle. But how do these space-faring heroes determine when to ring in the New Year? Currently, they include NASA astronauts Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, Don Pettit, and Nick Hague, alongside Russian cosmonauts Aleksandr Gorbunov, Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner.

Universal Time Coordinated (UTC)

To solve the conundrum of timekeeping in space, the ISS operates on Universal Time Coordinated (UTC), which parallels Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). This means that the crew will celebrate the beginning of the year at 7 p.m. ET on December 31—this marks midnight back on Earth. So, while you're celebrating, the astronauts aboard the ISS will be already rolling into their New Year celebrations!

Diverse Celebrations

The members of the space crew may have diverse preferences regarding when to celebrate, largely influenced by their home time zones. Since the United States and Russia span a staggering 17 time zones, agreeing on a universal time could lead to an extended celebration that lasts well into the hours. However, typically they come together inside one of the station’s modules for a joyous gathering. Although they favor special treats for the occasion, they must forgo traditional toasts as alcohol remains prohibited on the ISS.

A Unique New Year’s Eve

In an exciting twist, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who recently arrived at the ISS onboard the inaugural crewed mission of the Starliner spacecraft, did not foresee being in orbit for the festivities. Their journey began in June, but due to technical malfunctions, they had to delay their anticipated return flight, which is now set for March aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon. Celebrating the New Year 250 miles above Earth's surface will undoubtedly be a moment they will forever treasure.

A Reminder of Human Achievement

As the world below counts down to midnight this New Year's Eve, the astronauts aboard the ISS remind us that celebrations can happen anywhere—even beyond our planet! It’s a unique experience that highlights human achievement and perseverance in the exploration of space.