RAF

Father Christmas cleared for take-off with UK Space Command on sleigh duty

"If you'd like to know where he is or, indeed, when he's coming to your house, then we can tell you at Space Command"

While half-eaten cookies and half-drunk milk may raise suspicions, and footsteps in flour create more mess than magic, a live flight tracker gives no doubts for Santa Claus's existence and whereabouts.

For 70 years, North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) has helped keep the magic of Christmas alive for millions of children around the world, using state-of-the-art military technology.

And this year is no different. Working closely with their overseas elves, joint UK Armed Forces personnel based at RAF High Wycombe – the home of the UK Space Command – will monitor the skies and contribute data to the tracking programme this Christmas Eve.

Speaking to BFBS Forces News, Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth said: "We always support the Santa tracking through Space Command.

"As Santa does his trip around the world, he is very accurately tracked... so if you'd like to know where he is, or if indeed when he's coming to your house, then we can tell you at Space Command."

Using powerful radar networks capable of tracking objects as small as a Christmas cracker up to 3,000 nautical miles away – like those at RAF Fylingdales – the jolly man in red himself can be monitored on his annual round trip.

So finish off that cookie, sweep up the flour, and let UK Space Command take the reins on this one.