NORAD reports an increase in activity at the North Pole

North American Aerospace Defense Command reports that satellites are in place to track Santa Claus during his annual yuletide journey. Satellite images have already shown an increase in activity at the North Pole. The images appear to show many short men and women in colorful outfits lugging packages wrapped with ribbons and bows, NORAD reports.

By Jessie Stensland • December 23, 2013 2:18 pm
NORAD is ready to track Santa Claus on his annual journey. Santa is shown here during his visit to the Greening of Coupeville.
NORAD is ready to track Santa Claus on his annual journey. Santa is shown here during his visit to the Greening of Coupeville.

North American Aerospace Defense Command reports that satellites are in place to track Santa Claus during his annual yuletide journey.

Satellite images have already shown an increase in activity at the North Pole.

The images appear to show many short men and women in colorful outfits lugging packages wrapped with ribbons and bows, NORAD reports.

The agency’s newly designed website for tracking the Santa’s sleigh, www.noradsanta.org, went live at the beginning of the month. It now features a holiday countdown, daily games and activities, videos, music and more.

For the first time, NORAD acknowledged this year that military jets have been selected to escort the jolly elf and his flying reindeer.

A public affairs officer at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station said he was unsure whether aircraft from the base will flying along with Santa on his journey.

Air traffic personnel are aware of Santa’s route.

Starting at 12:01 a.m. MST (11:01 p.m. Pacific Time) on Dec. 24, visitors of the NORAD website can watch Santa make preparations for his flight through the Bing maps and Cesium technology in 2D and 3D.

Four hours later, trackers worldwide can speak with a live phone operator to inquire as to Santa’s whereabouts by dialing the toll-free number 1-877-Hi-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) or by sending an email to noradtrackssanta@outlook.com.

OnStar subscribers can press the OnStar button in their vehicles to find Santa’s location any time on Dec. 24. NORAD’s  “Santa Cams” will stream videos on the website as Santa makes his way over various locations, NORAD reports.

Special NORAD Santa-Cams, positioned around the world, will take photos and video of Santa and his sleigh as he journeys around the world.

The SantaCams instantly download the photo and video imagery so that it may be viewed by children around the world on the NORAD Tracks Santa website.

Meanwhile, North Pole Train Lines report that Santa’s coal orders are at an all-time low this year, pointing to an especially happy holidays for good boys and girls worldwide.