NASA astronauts celebrate Thanksgiving with Russian cranberry sauce

Friday, November 28, 2025 -This Thanksgiving, NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) enjoyed a unique twist on a classic holiday meal: Russian cranberry sauce. 

As the ISS crew marked the holiday high above Earth, they shared dishes that blended American tradition with contributions from their Russian colleagues.

Food in space has long been a mix of practicality and morale-boosting comfort. Cranberry sauce, often considered a staple of Thanksgiving, became a symbol of cross-cultural camaraderie, highlighting the cooperation between NASA and Roscosmos even amid global tensions.

Astronauts reported that sharing this meal not only honored holiday tradition but also provided a morale boost, reminding everyone that even in orbit, the essence of Thanksgiving—gratitude, teamwork, and shared experiences—remains universal.