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Hutchinson Today
By the People, for the People
Astronaut's Space-Flown Santa Hat Lands at Cosmosphere Museum
The STS-103 mission's Christmas in orbit is celebrated with a special exhibit in Kansas.
Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:54pm
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A space-flown Santa hat's celestial journey blends the wonder of exploration with the spirit of the holidays.Hutchinson TodayThe Cosmosphere space museum in Hutchinson, Kansas, has unveiled a unique exhibit featuring a Santa hat that was worn by astronaut John Grunsfeld during the STS-103 space shuttle mission in 1999. The hat orbited the Earth 119 times on Christmas Day, making it a one-of-a-kind holiday artifact from the history of space exploration.
Why it matters
The display of Grunsfeld's space-flown Santa hat at the Cosmosphere highlights how space missions have incorporated holiday traditions over the years, from the Skylab 3 crew in 1973 to the continuous human presence on the International Space Station today. These festive moments aboard spacecraft represent the human experience of space exploration, beyond just the scientific discoveries.
The details
During the STS-103 mission, the astronauts, including commander Curt Brown, pilot Scott Kelly, and specialists Michael Foale, Steven Smith, Jean-François Clervoy, and Claude Nicollier, performed critical upgrades to the Hubble Space Telescope. In between their spacewalks, they found time to don their Santa hats for photos and deliver a holiday message to those on Earth.
- The STS-103 mission took place in December 1999, with the crew orbiting the Earth on Christmas Day.
- The Cosmosphere's exhibit featuring Grunsfeld's space-flown Santa hat will be open to the public until January 5, 2026.
The players
The Cosmosphere
A renowned space museum in Hutchinson, Kansas, that has unveiled the exhibit featuring the space-flown Santa hat.
John Grunsfeld
An astronaut who wore the Santa hat during the STS-103 mission and has loaned it to the Cosmosphere for the special display.
Curt Brown
The commander of the STS-103 mission, who shared a holiday message from space.
Scott Kelly
The pilot of the STS-103 mission, who was part of the crew that wore Santa hats during the spaceflight.
Michael Foale, Steven Smith, Jean-François Clervoy, and Claude Nicollier
The specialist astronauts who were part of the STS-103 crew and wore Santa hats during the mission.
What they’re saying
“The Christmas story reminds us of the universal human quest for understanding and wisdom, as seen through the ages in our study of the stars and planets. We hope for peace and goodwill, and as we stand on the brink of a new millennium, we send our greetings to all.”
— Curt Brown, Commander, STS-103 mission
What’s next
The Cosmosphere's 13 Days of Christmas Celebration, featuring the display of the space-flown Santa hat, will continue until January 5, 2026, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the intersection of space exploration and holiday traditions.
The takeaway
The Cosmosphere's exhibit of the space-flown Santa hat from the STS-103 mission highlights how space exploration is not just about scientific discoveries, but also about the shared human experiences and traditions that connect us, even in the vastness of space. These festive moments aboard spacecraft represent the deeper meaning and emotional resonance of space exploration.
