While the world welcomed 2026 with celebrations, fireworks, and prayers, astronauts hundreds of kilometers above Earth experienced the New Year in a truly unique way.
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) witnessed the arrival of the New Year not once, but 16 times. This extraordinary phenomenon occurs due to the station’s rapid orbit around the Earth.
The ISS orbits approximately 400 kilometers above Earth at a speed of nearly 28,000 kilometers per hour, completing one full orbit every 90 minutes. As a result, it passes over different regions of the planet multiple times within 24 hours, allowing astronauts to see 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets each day.
As midnight strikes across various time zones on Earth, the space station repeatedly passes over those regions, enabling astronauts to observe the New Year’s arrival again and again.
The ISS is home to astronauts from different countries, including the United States, Japan, and Russia, making it a powerful symbol of international cooperation where scientists and astronauts work together on advanced space research.
Although astronauts do not celebrate the New Year 16 times in practice—since their daily routine follows Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)—they do exchange greetings and sometimes connect with their families via video calls.
Experts note that the rapidly changing day-night cycle in space poses challenges to the human body. To maintain their health, astronauts follow strict sleep schedules, controlled lighting systems, and regular exercise routines.
Watching Earth from space during the New Year is a rare and breathtaking experience. The sight of glowing cities, fireworks, and the planet’s beauty from above serves as a powerful reminder that Earth is truly a shared home for all humanity.
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