Since then, NORAD has been providing updates on Santa’s whereabouts to children around the world. Every Christmas Eve, more than 1,500 volunteers answer phone calls and emails from children and their parents, providing information on Santa’s location and estimated arrival time. NORAD’s Santa Tracker website also features a map with Santa’s current location, as well as videos and games for children to enjoy while they wait for the big man in red to arrive.
While NORAD’s Santa Tracker is a fun and festive tradition, it also showcases the military organization’s sophisticated technology and capabilities. The same advanced radar systems and satellite technology that NORAD uses to track Santa are also used to detect and monitor potential threats to North America. The Santa Tracker allows NORAD to showcase their skills and capabilities to the public in a unique and engaging way.
Over the years, the Santa Tracker has become a beloved tradition for families around the world. Children eagerly anticipate Santa’s arrival in their area, and parents use the tracker as a way to keep their little ones entertained and engaged during the holiday season. In addition to tracking Santa’s journey, NORAD also provides educational resources on their website, teaching children about geography and the countries Santa visits on his journey.
The Santa Tracker also incorporates elements of social media, with NORAD encouraging users to follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for updates on Santa’s journey. The organization even created a Snapchat filter that users can apply to their photos, adding a festive touch to their holiday selfies.
Despite the popularity of the Santa Tracker, NORAD takes its role in protecting North America very seriously. While volunteers answer calls and emails about Santa’s journey, a separate team of military personnel is always on duty to monitor the skies and respond to potential threats. The organization also has strict protocols in place to ensure that any potential threats are quickly and appropriately addressed.
In recent years, NORAD has faced some challenges with the Santa Tracker. In 2018, the organization was forced to apologize after a computer glitch caused the tracker to show Santa’s sleigh departing from a city in Georgia instead of the North Pole. However, the organization quickly rectified the mistake and continued to provide updates on Santa’s journey throughout the night.
Despite these challenges, NORAD’s Santa Tracker remains a beloved holiday tradition. Children around the world eagerly await updates on Santa’s journey, and parents appreciate the distraction and entertainment it provides during the busy holiday season. While NORAD’s primary mission is to protect North America, the organization’s Santa Tracker is a heartwarming reminder that even the military can embrace the holiday spirit.