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ISS Delivery Spacecraft Lit Up Like A Christmas Decoration

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clock-iconPUBLISHEDDecember 11, 2015

ISS Delivery Spacecraft Lit Up Like A Christmas Decoration

Tom Hale headshot

Tom Hale

Tom Hale headshot

Tom Hale

Senior Journalist

Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.

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Senior Journalist

Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.View full profile

Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.

View full profile
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Space-age Santa deliveries? Scott Kelly/Twitter

While it might look like a space-age Santa sleigh, this photograph shows a spacecraft as it was dropping off cargo to the International Space Station (ISS).

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The Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft arrived at the ISS on December 9 at 6:19 a.m. EST (11:19 a.m. GMT) complete with nearly 3.6 tonnes (4 tons) of cargo. Hopefully there was some dehydrated turkey in there for the crew.

Fortunately, astronaut and avid Tweeter Scott Kelly caught a quick snap of the spacecraft as it approachhed the ISS, complete with the particularly festive-looking lights. While impressive, it should be noted that these lights are used on every Cygnus vehicle, not just at Christmas, to help understand the orientation of the vehicle.

But hey, it's a pretty neat coincidence. We'll file it under "minor Christmas miracle."

 

 
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ORIGINALLY PUBLISHEDDecember 11, 2015

Written by Tom Hale

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