[Reading Science] "Where Is Santa's Sleigh Now?"

Christmas Eve, the 'Official Santa Tracker' Sought by Children Worldwide
North American Aerospace Defense Command Providing Santa Tracking Info for 67 Years Since 1955
Over 1,200 Staff Mobilized Annually to Share Santa Sleigh Location via Phone and Email

Soldiers belonging to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) are responding to requests for information about Santa's sleigh, which is arriving from around the world on Christmas Eve. Photo by NORAD website

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] "Santa Claus, when will you come to our house tonight?"

It is Christmas Eve, covered with white snow. Children all over the world are eagerly awaiting Christmas presents and the arrival of Santa's sleigh. On this day, there are some of the busiest people among adults worldwide. Normally engaged in national security duties, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) transforms into a helper who provides real-time updates on Santa Claus's 'route' to children around the world.

According to space-specialized media Space.com on the 24th, NORAD is a joint military organization established by the United States and Canada to track aircraft over North America and defend against potential aerial threats. Its main mission is to track airborne objects using missile early warning satellites and airborne surveillance radars. However, every Christmas, NORAD is busy tracking the whereabouts of Santa's sleigh delivering presents to children worldwide to celebrate Christmas.

As soon as Santa takes off with his sleigh pulled by eight reindeer (including Rudolph), NORAD's tracking begins. This year, NORAD's Santa tracking mission is scheduled to start at 6 a.m. Eastern Time (8 p.m. Korean Time on the 24th). NORAD began this Santa tracking mission by chance in 1955 during its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) era. It started when a child called NORAD, which had equipment and technology for tracking and identifying airborne objects, to ask about Santa's sleigh whereabouts.

As this fact became known worldwide, NORAD established itself as the only officially recognized 'Santa tracking organization.' Every Christmas Eve, NORAD becomes busy handling calls from around the world inquiring about Santa's whereabouts, with over 1,250 staff and volunteers dedicated annually to responding to calls and emails.

Of course, their Santa tracking mission is 'virtual.' It relies on a simulation program developed by the software company 'AGI/Ansys.' This simulation tracks the heat emitted from Rudolph's nose using NORAD's satellites and checks the sleigh's altitude through airborne surveillance radar. It can even analyze the aerodynamic design of Santa's sleigh. This helps ensure Santa's precise gift delivery. Santa's sleigh must fly at a fast speed of Mach 7 to deliver presents on time before Christmas morning. Using this software, Santa can maintain the sleigh's balance and speed while efficiently deciding how many additional reindeer to add.

NORAD provides not only the location and speed of Santa's sleigh but also detailed specifications and technical information through its website. According to this, Santa's sleigh can reach speeds faster than light. Whether it emits exhaust is a 'secret,' out of consideration for the reindeer's dignity. The size is approximately 75×40×55 cm based on one candy cane, or 150×80×110 cm based on one lollipop. The weight is equivalent to 75,000 bubble gums. Santa Claus's weight is 118 kg at departure but 571 kg upon arrival, having eaten plenty of cookies and milk left by children at each house.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.