The NORAD and the previous institution, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD, Continental Air Defense Command), have been following Santa's flight for more than 50 years.
The tradition began in 1955 when one of the Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. department stores placed an ad to encourage children to call Santa with an incorrect phone number. Instead of Santa Claus, the children called the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's confidential operational line. At the time, Colonel Harry Shoup was Director of Operations. The officer asked his staff to check the radars for signs of Santa's movement from the North Pole to the south. The children who called were given updates on his position: thus the tradition began.
In 1958, the governments of Canada and the United States created a joint air defense command for North America called the North American Aerospace Defense Command, known as NORAD, which inherited the mission to follow the Santa's flight.
Since then, the men, women, families and friends of NORAD have generously provided their time to respond personally to phone calls and emails from children around the world. Now we follow Santa Claus on the Internet too. Currently millions of people wanting to know where Santa is located visit the NORAD website on Traces of Santa Claus.
Finally, news media from around the world refer to NORAD as a reliable source for providing updates on Santa's journey.
Here are the children's questions and the answers from NORAD.
How do we follow Santa?
Radar
It all starts with the NORAD radar system called the North Warning System. This powerful radar system has 47 installations stretched across northern Canada and Alaska. For NORAD it is important to keep the radar strictly under control for Santa Claus when he leaves the North Pole every Christmas season. At a time when our radar tells us that Santa Claus took off, we start using the same satellites we use in providing air warnings for possible launch of missiles aimed at North America.
Satellites
These satellites are in geo-synchronous orbit (this sentence is too strong, meaning that the satellite is always fixed at the same point on Earth) at 22,3 thousand miles above the Earth. The satellites are equipped with infrared sensors, which means they can see the heat. When a rocket or missile is launched, an enormous amount of heat is produced - enough for the satellites to be able to identify them. Rudolph's nose emits a characteristic infrared ray similar to a missile launch. The satellites detect Rudolph's dazzling red nose without any problem.
SantaCams
The third system we use is the SantaCam. We started using it in the 1998 - the year we put our Santa Claus tracking program on the Internet. NORAD SantaCams are the super-cool high-tech, high-speed digital cameras that are pre-positioned in many places around the world. The NORAD uses these cameras only once a year - the 24 December. We turn on the cameras about an hour before Santa enters a country and we turn them off after we have captured images of him with his reindeer. We immediately download the images on our website for people around the world to see them. SantaCams produce both video and still images. Combat jets
The last system we use is the NORAD combat fighter. Canadian NORAD fighter pilots, take off with CF-18, in Newfoundland and welcome Santa to North America. Then in the numerous branches in Canada, other CF-18 fighter pilots escort Santa Claus. While in the United States, the American NORAD fighter pilots in both the F-15, F-16 or F-22s experience the thrill of flying with Santa and the famous reindeer - Saetta (Dasher) Dancer (Dancer) Schianto ( Prancer) Guizzo (Vixen) Comet (Comet) Cupid (Cupid) Thunder (Donner) Lightning (Blitzen) Rudolph Although Santa flies faster than any fighter plane (Santa actually slows down for us to escort him), all these systems together provide the NORAD with a good continuous image of where it is.How long has NORAD been following Santa Claus?
The predecessor of NORAD, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD, Continental Air Defense Command), started following Santa in 1955. The NORAD has replaced the CONAD in the 1958 and has inherited the mission to follow the flight of Santa Claus around the world every year!
Why does NORAD follow Santa?
For 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, NORAD, in addition to dealing with other very important missions, keeps airplanes, missiles, space shuttles and all that flies in or on the borders of the North American continent under control. Although the tradition began by pure chance, NORAD continues Santa's tracking service. We are the only organization equipped with the technology, qualifications and human resources needed to do this. Besides, we love it so much! NORAD is honored to be the official surveyor of Santa Claus!
When will Santa Claus arrive at my house?
NORAD follows Santa Claus, but only he knows the route he will take, so we cannot predict where and when he will arrive at your home. We do know, however, that traditionally comes when children are sleeping! In many countries it seems that Santa Claus arrives between 21: 00 and midnight of 24 December. If the children are still awake when he arrives, he moves to the other houses. Then come back later ... but only when the kids are sleeping!
What is Santa's journey?
Santa Claus usually leaves the international date line in the Pacific Ocean and travels west. Therefore, historically, Santa Claus first visits the South Pacific, then New Zealand and Australia. After that, it rises up in Japan, along Asia, through Africa, then in Western Europe, Canada, the United States, Mexico and Central and Latin America. But remember, the path followed by Santa Claus may depend on weather conditions, so it's really unpredictable. The NORAD coordinates with the elves of the launching base of Santa Claus to confirm the departure, but from that moment on it is Santa Claus who decides. We only follow it!
Santa Claus visits children around the world (eg also Afghanistan, Israel, non-Christian countries)?
Of course! Santa Claus visits all the houses where there are children who believe in his existence.
How does Santa Claus travel around the world in 24 hours?
NORAD reports indicate that Santa has a different perception of time than ours. His journey seems to last 24 hours, but for Santa Claus it is as if it lasted for days, weeks or even months. Santa Claus does not want to hurry such an important job as delivering gifts to children and transmitting joy to everyone, so the only logical conclusion is that Santa Claus lives somehow in his own space-time continuum.
Does Santa really exist?
Mountains of data and over 50 years of tracking information acquired by NORAD confirm that Santa Claus is alive and well in the hearts of people around the world.
How old is Santa Claus?
It's hard to know for sure, but the NORAD news service indicates that Santa has NOT LESS than 16 centuries.
What does Santa look like?
Based on flight profile data collected in over 50 years of radar and satellite surveys by NORAD, Santa is probably about 1,70 m high and weighs approximately 118 kg (before eating the biscuits). Based on the photos taken by the fighters, we know that he has a rather abundant waist (belly), red cheeks due to the journey in a cold sleigh and a flowing white beard.
How does Santa get off the chimneys?
Although NORAD has formulated various hypotheses and theories about the way in which Santa Claus can actually get off the chimneys, he has no definitive information that can explain this magical phenomenon.Do your planes ever intercept Santa Claus?
During the last 50 years, our fighter planes (F-16, F-15, F-22 and CF-18) have intercepted Santa Claus many times. When planes intercept Santa Claus, they tilt their wings to say: "Hello Santa! NORAD follows you this year too!" Every time, Santa is waving his hand. Loves to see the pilots!
Does NORAD have photos of Santa Claus taken from planes?
Our pilots love taking pictures of Santa Claus. We also have Santa-cameras in space that take videos of Santa Claus as he flies around the world. These videos are broadcast almost every hour on December 24 on www.noradsanta.org.
Does NORAD have statistical data on Santa's sled?
NORAD can confirm that Santa's sleigh is a versatile vertical take-off aircraft. It is able to travel great distances without refueling and is put into service, as far as we know, only December 24 (and, sometimes, briefly for a test flight about a month before Christmas).
Technical data of the slide
Designer and manufacturer B. Natale and Elfi, Possible first flight 24 December 343 dCBase North Pole Length 75 bz (candy canes) / 150 ll (lollipop) Width 40 bz / 80 llHeight 55 bz / 110 llNOTE: Length, width and height are to be intended without reindeer. Takeoff weight 75.000 cg (gummy candies) Passenger weight on takeoff 118 kg of Santa ClausWeight on takeoff 60.000 tonsWeight on landing 80.000 cg (ice and snow accumulation) Passenger weight at landing 572 kgPropulsion nine (9) rv (reindeer steam) Armament for branched horns (only for defense) Fuel hay, oats and carrots (for reindeer) Classified emissionsStair speed 1 "B" (blink of an eye) Maximum speed greater than starlightWhere's Santa Claus now?
Santa Claus is at the North Pole, where he lives with Mrs. Natale and the elves, who build toys and take care of the reindeer all year. Every year, on the occasion of the 24 December, Santa Claus and his reindeer leave the North Pole very early in the morning to make their famous journey around the world. At the exact moment of departure, NORAD begins to follow him.
Can I send an email to NORAD to find out where Santa is?
Yup! On December 24 you can send an email to noradtrackssanta@outlook.com A NORAD staff member will respond to your email and notify you of Santa's last known position. You can also follow Santa on your phone on the official Windows 8 app and you can even talk directly to a NORAD operator to find out about Santa's position!
Has Santa Claus ever collided with something while flying around the world?
Santa has been flying for centuries without ever hitting anything. Must be an exceptional driver!
Besides following Santa Claus, what does NORAD normally do?
NORAD is a joint US and Canadian military organization responsible for the warning and defense of aerospace and shipping in North America. The NORAD offers a warning service for incumbent missiles and air strikes, safeguards US air sovereignty and maintains the forces in flight for defense against attacks. NORAD carries out this important 24 mission hours a day, 365 days a year.
How many people do this mission?
More than 1.250 Canadian and American staff members in uniform and Department of Defense civilians volunteer for 24 December to answer the thousands of phone calls and emails that come from all over the world.
What is the cost of this project?
The NORAD Tracks Santa program is made possible by military and Department of Defense volunteers and thanks to the generous contribution of sponsoring companies that cover virtually all costs.
Franco Iacch
