NORAD: Santa Conducts Test Flight

Using an advanced missile-defense radar system, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracked Santa on a test flight last week to ensure its ability to keep tabs on him Christmas Eve, the organization announced today. This year will be NORAD’s 50th tracking Santa’s holiday flight, NORAD said.

Santa and his reindeer on Friday flew from the North Pole to a Christmas festival in Pueblo, Colo. near Peterson Air Force Base, NORAD said, calling the test flight a success. Santa then returned to the North Pole under NORAD’s watchful eye, according to the organization.

“Space Surveillance personnel of the 13th and 213th Space Warning Squadrons using the PAVE PAWS Radar System at Clear Air Force Station, Alaska confirmed liftoff at 5:00 pm MST,” said Maj. Stacia Reddish, NORAD Tracks Santa program manager. “Radars then indicated Santa zipped over Labrador City, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada; North Bay, Ontario, Canada; and Waterloo, Iowa, then proceeded to Christmas-Eve velocity to the Pueblo [Colo.] Riverwalk where he was met by hundreds of children.”

Reddish said NORAD’s team also tested satellite systems “used to track the infrared signature of Rudolph