Santa's Christmas Journey Begins, NORAD is Tracking His Flight Online

North American Aerospace Defense reported successful liftoff, as Santa Claus has finally embarked on his annual journey from the North Pole to deliver gifts to children around the world.

MOSCOW, December 24 (Sputnik) – Santa Claus has left his official residence in the North Pole to deliver the gifts to children around the world, North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) said Wednesday.

"NORAD Tracks Santa, but only Santa knows his route, which means we cannot predict where and when he will arrive at your house. We do, however, know from history that it appears he arrives only when children are asleep! " the US-Canadian agency said in a statement.

Santa Claus is flying around the world on his sleigh, "a versatile, all weather, multi-purpose" vehicle. The length of Santa sleigh is 75 candy canes or 150 lollipops. In most of the world's countries Santa is expected to arrive between 9:00 p.m. and midnight on December 24th, NORAD said.

NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have been tracking Santa's journey for more than 50 years. Back in 1955 Sears Roebuck & Co department store placed an advertisement in the Colorado Springs newspaper saying that US children can call Santa Claus, but misprinted the telephone number. Instead, children who called the given number got through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief.

"The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born," NORAD said.

Since then NORAD has been using its radar system, satellites and special Santa Cams to track Santa' s annual journey.

"Rudolph's nose gives off an infrared signature similar to a missile launch. The satellites detect Rudolph's bright red nose with no problem," NORAD added.

"NORAD Tracks Santa" is an annual entertainment project allowing children of the world to find out Santa Claus' current location. More than 1,250 Canadians and Americans are expected to volunteer on Wednesday to answer thousands of phone calls and emails from children.