The International Space Station (ISS) crew of U.S. astronaut Timothy J. Creamer (R), Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kotov (C) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Soichi Noguchi pose behind a glass wall next to a poster depicting them as Russian epic heroes after a news conference at Baikonur cosmodrome December 19, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    MOSCOW, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Grandfather Frost, comparable to the West's Santa Claus, on Monday sent New Year greetings to astronauts in the space from Mission Control outside Moscow.

    A video linkup between Grandfather Frost and the International Space Station (ISS) on the eve of New Year has become a tradition.

    The crew members, who have apparently decorated the space station, put on hat in red and white during the video linkup, Russian television showed.

    The Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft that recently docked with the space station had delivered gifts and a Christmas tree.

    "I see you have been ready for the upcoming year. Happy New Year!" said Grandfather Frost to the astronauts.

    Anatoly Perminov, head of Russia's Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) also extended New Year greetings to the crew members.

    "I heard you're going to welcome the New Year for 16 times. I think two to three times will be enough," said Perminov half-jokingly.

    As the ISS circles the Earth several times a day, the crew will embrace the New Year 16 times.

    The current ISS mission consists of Russians Oleg Kotov and Maxim Surayev, Americans Jeffrey Williams and Timothy Creamer, as well as Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi.