A viral image comparing two NASA holiday photos—one from 1999 and another from 2023—has been making the rounds on social media. The images, meant to showcase astronauts celebrating Christmas in space, have instead become a point of conspiracy theories, with some claiming they “prove” NASA is hoaxing space travel.
The argument? In the 1999 photo, the astronauts’ Santa hats sit neatly on their heads, just like they would on Earth. But in the 2023 photo, the hats appear to be floating, especially the pom-poms at the tips. Some users have taken this as “evidence” that NASA faked space travel, arguing that gravity should affect both images the same way. But does this claim hold up under scrutiny? Let’s break it down.
The 1999 Christmas Photo: Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-103)
The first image comes from the Space Shuttle Discovery’s STS-103 mission, which launched on December 19, 1999, and returned to Earth on December 27, 1999. The mission’s goal was to service the Hubble Space Telescope, and the crew took a festive group photo during their time aboard.
Several key details confirm this photo was taken aboard the Space Shuttle:
- The astronauts are wearing white polo shirts with the STS-103 mission patch, matching official NASA records.
- The background structure matches the middeck of the Space Shuttle rather than the ISS.
- The Santa hats sit naturally on their heads, with no floating elements—suggesting the photo was either taken before launch or after landing on Earth.
Yes, while in orbit, the Space Shuttle also experienced microgravity, just like the International Space Station (ISS). However, many shuttle crew photos were taken before or after the mission when the astronauts were still on Earth. This is likely the case here, explaining why gravity appears “normal.”
The 2023 Christmas Photo: Inside the International Space Station (ISS)
The second image, from Christmas 2023, was taken aboard the ISS, a permanently crewed space station orbiting Earth. Several details support this claim:
- The background structure, storage compartments, and equipment match known ISS layouts.
- The clothing, patches, and decorations are consistent with NASA and international space agencies’ holiday traditions.
- The hats are floating, with the pom-poms sticking upward or hovering in midair—clear evidence of microgravity.
Unlike the Space Shuttle, the ISS is a continuously inhabited station, meaning astronauts live and work in true microgravity 24/7. Objects don’t “fall” like on Earth; instead, they float due to the ISS being in constant freefall around Earth.
Does This Prove NASA Faked Space Travel?
Absolutely not. The floating hats in the ISS photo are strong evidence of microgravity, not a hoax. If NASA were faking space travel, they would have no reason to include floating objects that make it easier to spot real weightlessness.
The most logical explanation for the 1999 photo is that it was simply taken while the astronauts were still on Earth—not in space. Meanwhile, the 2023 photo was taken aboard the ISS, where objects behave differently due to microgravity.
The Power of Misinformation
This viral image is yet another example of how easy it is to manipulate narratives online. Without understanding the context of these two photos, people might assume NASA made a mistake—when in reality, the images are perfectly consistent with the laws of physics.
Before jumping to conclusions, it’s always worth asking: What’s the full story? Because sometimes, a floating Santa hat is just that—a floating Santa hat.