In one of its first official duties since taking up
residence on the International Space Station, the crew of
Expedition Six helps light up the holiday season by taking
part in a New York tradition that dates back to the 1930s.
Commander Ken Bowersox, Science Officer Don Petit and Russian
cosmonaut Nikolai Budarin will help light the Christmas tree
at Rockefeller Center in New York, an annual event that
features one of the biggest, brightest and most famous
holiday celebrations in the world.
The ceremony can be seen on television tonight at 8 p.m. EST
on NBC’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center. The program is
expected to draw up to 25 million viewers and will feature
performances by Barry Manilow, Kelly Clarkson, Sheryl Crow,
Michelle Branch, Josh Groban and the world-famous Radio City
Rockettes.
Astronauts Pam Melroy and Mike Massimino will also be in
Manhattan to help mark the lighting of the 14,000-pound tree,
which stands 76 feet tall and 43 feet wide and is adorned
with more than 30,000 lights.