Christmas on Orbit

NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 24 December 2004

A Progress spacecraft is due to dock with the ISS on Christmas Day. NASA TV coverage begins at 6 p.m. EST. The Progress will dock at approximately 7:05 p.m. EST.

Poem uplinked to Leroy and Salizhan by Flight Control:

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Station
The crew was still working, this is not a vacation!
Their spirits were high but their pantry was bare.
They had hopes that the Progress soon would be there,

When out of the window there emerged a bright light
It was a good Progress launch, what a beautiful sight!

The ISS crew then went straight to their beds
While visions of kung pao chicken danced in their heads.
They slept with the knowledge that teams here on the ground
Would be watching the Progress while it soared ISS-bound.

They’ll awake for the docking and that exciting small bump —
Then shout “Merry Christmas to All, we made it over that hump!”

A Merry Christmas and great Holiday to everyone!