Astronauts Celebrate Thanksgiving Traditions Aboard the International Space Station

From shared meals to cultural exchanges, Thanksgiving in orbit blends innovation and camaraderie for astronauts far from home.

Thanksgiving has been celebrated in space since 1973, with astronauts adapting traditional meals and rituals to their unique environment.
The International Space Station crew, including members from NASA, ESA, and JAXA, enjoyed a festive meal prepared with specially packaged and preserved foods.
Tortillas, introduced to space menus in 1985, remain a practical and popular staple due to their crumb-free nature in microgravity.
This year’s Thanksgiving meal featured items like turkey, seafood, and festive desserts, delivered earlier this month via the SpaceX CRS-31 supply mission.
Astronauts continue to share messages of gratitude and unity with Earth, fostering a spirit of connection despite the vast distance.