The North American Aerospace Command (NORAD) repositioned its radars and satellites once again on Tuesday (December 24) to track Santa Claus as he sets out on his worldwide mission to deliver presents to children around the globe, Reuters reports.
NORAD, a joint operation between the U.S. and Canadian militaries, is responsible for guarding the skies over North America.
But every year their technology is trained on Santa and his reindeer as they make their journey across the globe, starting with stops in Australia and New Zealand.
Now in its 68th year, the Santa Tracker has become a global phenomenon, with people around the world eagerly awaiting its launch every Christmas.
The Santa tracking operation began early on Christmas Eve when, NORAD says, radar stations picked up an infrared signal emanating from Rudolph, Santa’s favourite ‘Red-Nosed’ Reindeer.
The tracker is accessible through the NORAD Tracks Santa website and mobile apps.
The website also features interactive games, videos, and educational content to engage children and create some excitement.
The tradition began as an accident in 1955, when a child accidentally dialled the unlisted phone number of the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, believing she was calling Santa Claus after seeing a promotion in a local newspaper.
Since then, the beloved holiday event has grown into a high-tech operation that captivates audiences of all ages.
