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| This recently unclassified surveillance image of Santa being tracked by NORAD shows him approaching the North Sea (somewhere over Belgium) en route back to the North Pole in 2011. |
The tradition began in 1955
after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement misprinted
the telephone number for children to call Santa. Instead of reaching Santa, the
phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations
"hotline." The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry
Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way
south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his
location, and a tradition was born.
In 1958, the governments of
Canada and the United States created a bi-national air defense command for
North America called the North American Aerospace Defense Command, also known
as NORAD, which then took on the tradition of tracking Santa.
Since that time, NORAD men,
women, family and friends have selflessly volunteered their time to personally
respond to phone calls and emails from children all around the world. In
addition, we now track Santa using the internet. Millions of people who want to
know Santa's whereabouts now visit the NORAD Tracks Santa website.
Finally, media from all
over the world rely on NORAD as a trusted source to provide updates on Santa's
journey. Here’s where kids of all ages
can check up on Santa’s activities on that night of nights: Christmas Eve. http://www.noradsanta.org/
How NORAD tracks Santa (aka “The Big Red One.”
Radar--It
all starts with the NORAD radar system called the North Warning System. This
powerful radar system has 47 installations strung across Canada's North and
Alaska. NORAD makes a point of checking the radar closely for indications of
Santa Claus leaving the North Pole every holiday season. The moment our radar
tells us that Santa has lifted off, we begin to use the same satellites that we
use in providing air warning of possible missile launches aimed at North
America.
Satellites--These
satellites are located in a geo-synchronous orbit (that's a cool phrase meaning
that the satellite is always fixed over the same spot on the Earth) at 22,300
miles above the Earth. The satellites have infrared sensors, meaning they can
see heat. When a rocket or missile is launched, a tremendous amount of heat is
produced - enough for the satellites to see them. Rudolph's nose gives off an
infrared signature similar to a missile launch. The satellites detect Rudolph's
bright red nose with no problem.
SantaCams--The
third system we use is the SantaCam. We began using it in 1998 - the year we
put our Santa Tracking program on the Internet. NORAD SantaCams are ultra-cool,
high-tech, high-speed digital cameras that are pre-positioned at many places around
the world. NORAD only uses these cameras once a year – on 24 December. We turn
the cameras on about one hour before Santa enters a country then switch them
off after we capture images of him and the Reindeer. We immediately download
the images onto our web site for people around the world to see. SantaCams
produce both video and still images.
Jet Fighters--The last system we use is the NORAD jet fighter. Canadian NORAD
fighter pilots, flying the CF-18, take off out of Newfoundland and welcome
Santa to North America. Then at numerous locations in Canada other CF-18
fighter pilots escort Santa. While in the United States, American NORAD fighter
pilots in either the F-15s, F16s or F-22s get the thrill of flying with Santa
and the famous Reindeer - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner,
Blitzen and Rudolph. Even though Santa flies faster than any jet fighter (Santa
actually slows down for us to escort him), all of these systems together
provide NORAD with a very good continuous picture of his whereabouts.
How long has NORAD been tracking Santa?
NORAD’s predecessor, the
Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), began tracking Santa in 1955. NORAD
replaced CONAD in 1958 and took over the mission of tracking Santa’s flight
around the world, and they have been tracking Santa every year since!
Why does NORAD track Santa?
Twenty four hours a day,
365 days a year, NORAD tracks airplanes, missiles, space launches and anything
else that flies in or around the North American continent, while also
completing some other very important missions. While the tradition of tracking
Santa began purely by accident, NORAD continues to track Santa. We’re the only
organization that has the technology, the qualifications, and the people to do
it. And, we love it! NORAD is honored to be Santa’s official tracker!
When will Santa arrive at my house?
NORAD tracks Santa, but
only Santa knows his route, which means we cannot predict where and when he
will arrive at your house. We do, however, know from history that it appears he
arrives only when children are asleep! In most countries, it seems Santa
arrives between 9:00 p.m. and midnight on December 24th. If children are still
awake when Santa arrives, he moves on to other houses. He returns later…but
only when the children are asleep!
What route does Santa travel?
Santa usually starts at the
International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean and travels west. So,
historically, Santa visits the South Pacific first, then New Zealand and
Australia. After that, he shoots up to Japan, over to Asia, across to Africa,
then onto Western Europe, Canada, the United States, Mexico and Central and
South America. Keep in mind, Santa’s route can be affected by weather, so it’s
really unpredictable. NORAD coordinates with Santa’s Elf Launch Staff to
confirm his launch time, but from that point on, Santa calls the shots. We just
track him!
Does Santa visit everyone (i.e. Afghanistan, Israel,
non-Christian countries)?
Indeed! Santa visits all
homes where children believe in him.
How can Santa travel the world within 24 hours?
NORAD intelligence reports
indicate that Santa does not experience time the way we do. His trip seems to
take 24 hours to us, but to Santa it might last days, weeks or even months.
Santa would not want to rush the important job of delivering presents to
children and spreading joy to everyone, so the only logical conclusion is that
Santa somehow functions within his own time-space continuum.
Is there a Santa Claus?
Mountains of historical
data and more than 50 years of NORAD tracking information leads us to believe
that Santa Claus is alive and well in the hearts of people throughout the
world.
How old is Santa?
It’s hard to know for sure,
but even NORAD intelligence is stumped.
What does Santa look like?
Based on flight profile
data gathered from over 50 years of NORAD's radar and satellite tracking, NORAD
concludes that Santa probably stands about 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs
approximately 260 pounds (before cookies). Based on fighter-aircraft photos, we
know he has a generous girth (belly), rosy cheeks from sleigh riding in cold
weather, and a flowing white beard.
How does Santa get down chimneys?
Although NORAD has
different hypotheses and theories as to how Santa actually gets down the
chimneys, we don’t have definitive information to explain the magical
phenomenon.
Do your planes ever intercept Santa?
Over the past 50 years, our
fighter jets (F-16s, F-15s, F-22s and CF-18s) have intercepted Santa many, many
times. When the jets intercept Santa, they tip their wings to say, "Hello
Santa! – NORAD is tracking you again this year!" Santa always waves. He
loves to see the pilots!
Does NORAD have any pictures of Santa taken from
your planes?
Our fighter pilots love to
take photos of Santa. We also have NORAD Santa Cams in space which take video
of Santa as he flies round the world. These videos appear almost every hour on
December 24th atwww.noradsanta.org.
Does NORAD have any statistics on Santa’s sleigh?
NORAD can confirm that
Santa’s sleigh is a versatile, all weather, multi-purpose, vertical
short-take-off and landing vehicle. It is capable of traveling vast distances
without refueling and is deployed, as far as we know, only on December 24th
(and sometimes briefly for a test flight about a month before Christmas).
Santa’s Sleigh Technical Data
Designer & Builder: K. Kringle & Elves, Inc.
Probable First Flight: Unknown
Home Base: North Pole
Length 75 cc (candy canes) / 150 lp
(lollipops)
Width 40 cc / 80 lp
Height 55 cc / 110 lp
Note: Length, width and
height are without reindeer
Weight at takeoff: 75,000 gd (gumdrops)
Passenger weight at takeoff Santa Claus 260 pounds
Weight of gifts at takeoff: 60,000 tons
Weight at landing: 80,000 gd (ice & snow accumulation)
Passenger weight at landing 1,260 pounds
Propulsion: Nine (9) rp (reindeer power)
Armament: Antlers (purely defensive)
Fuel Hay, oats and carrots (for reindeer)
Emissions: Classified
Climbing speed: One "T" (Twinkle of an eye)
Max speed: Faster than starlight
Where is Santa right now?
Santa is at the North Pole,
where he lives with Mrs. Claus and the elves who make toys and take care of the
reindeer year round! Each year on December 24th, Santa and his reindeer launch
from the North Pole very early in the morning for their famous trip around the
world. The minute they launch, NORAD starts to track him! Come back to this
website on December 24th and you can track Santa along with NORAD!
I would rather talk to someone at NORAD to find out
where Santa is located. Is there a number I can call?
Yes! The NORAD Tracks Santa
Operations Center is fully operational beginning at 3:00a.m. MST on December
24th. You can call 1 877 HI-NORAD (1 877 446-6723) to talk directly to a NORAD
staff member who will be able to tell you Santa’s exact location. Operators are
available until 3:00a.m. on Dec. 25th to answer your calls!
Can I send an email to NORAD to find out where Santa
is located?
Yes! On December 24th, you
can send an email to noradtrackssanta@outlook.com A NORAD staff member will
give you Santa’s last known location in a return email. You can also track
Santa on your mobile phone, through the official Windows 8 app, and you can
even chat live with a NORAD operator to find out Santa’s location!
Has Santa ever crashed into anything when he was
flying around the world?
Santa has been flying for
centuries without hitting anything. He must be a great pilot!
Besides tracking Santa, what does NORAD normally do?
NORAD is a bi-national
U.S./Canadian military organization responsible for aerospace warning,
aerospace control, and maritime warning in the defense of North America. NORAD
provides warning of impending missile and air attacks, safeguards the air
sovereignty of North America, and maintains airborne forces for defense against
attack. NORAD performs this important mission 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
www.norad.mil or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/noradnorthcom.
How many people support this effort, and are they
active duty military personnel?
More than 1,250 Canadian
and American uniformed personnel and DOD civilians volunteer their time on
December 24th to answer the thousands of phone calls and emails that flood in
from around the world. In addition to the support provided by our corporate
contributors to make this program possible, NORAD has two lead project officers
who manage the program.
How much money is spent on this project?
The NORAD Tracks Santa
program is made possible by volunteers and through the generous support of
corporate licensees who bear virtually all of the costs.
Editor’s Note--This article from NORAD’S Santa site
is dedicated to the Memory of Retired Colonel Harry Shoup, NORAD's First Santa
Tracker. September 29, 1917 - March 14,
2009.
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