<p> For decades, the Canadian and American defence agency NORAD has provided updates on Santa Claus's international gift delivery route, but this year, for the first time, US astronauts lent a hand.</p>.<p>"We have obtained visual confirmation that Santa is currently travelling south over India," Andrew Morgan said at 1700 GMT via a video link as he floated at zero-gravity in the International Space Station.</p>.<p>The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said that the ISS was travelling at 17,000 miles (27,000 kilometers) an hour, 250 miles above Earth -- providing "a great vantage point to spot Santa on his annual journey around the world."</p>.<p>"NORAD appreciates the support of Colonel Morhan and the ISS team," it added.</p>.<p>The agency reported Santa had taken off from the North Pole at 0930 GMT.</p>.<p>NORAD has been tracking Santa since 1955 when a girl accidentally dialled the misprinted phone number from a department store advertisement in the local newspaper, believing she was calling Santa.</p>.<p>The number rang into the Air Defense Command Operation Center, where an officer was quick to realize the mistake and assured her he was Santa.</p>.<p>Each year since, NORAD has reported Santa's location to millions across the globe, with noradsanta.org this year live-tracking his present-filled sleigh pulled by nine reindeer.</p>.<p>Today 1,500 volunteers help the military answer calls and emails from children, with the US president and first lady often taking a few calls.</p>.<p>The US department of agriculture said that Mr Claus and his reindeer had been granted a special movement permit to enter the country and were "fit for landing on rooftops."</p>
<p> For decades, the Canadian and American defence agency NORAD has provided updates on Santa Claus's international gift delivery route, but this year, for the first time, US astronauts lent a hand.</p>.<p>"We have obtained visual confirmation that Santa is currently travelling south over India," Andrew Morgan said at 1700 GMT via a video link as he floated at zero-gravity in the International Space Station.</p>.<p>The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said that the ISS was travelling at 17,000 miles (27,000 kilometers) an hour, 250 miles above Earth -- providing "a great vantage point to spot Santa on his annual journey around the world."</p>.<p>"NORAD appreciates the support of Colonel Morhan and the ISS team," it added.</p>.<p>The agency reported Santa had taken off from the North Pole at 0930 GMT.</p>.<p>NORAD has been tracking Santa since 1955 when a girl accidentally dialled the misprinted phone number from a department store advertisement in the local newspaper, believing she was calling Santa.</p>.<p>The number rang into the Air Defense Command Operation Center, where an officer was quick to realize the mistake and assured her he was Santa.</p>.<p>Each year since, NORAD has reported Santa's location to millions across the globe, with noradsanta.org this year live-tracking his present-filled sleigh pulled by nine reindeer.</p>.<p>Today 1,500 volunteers help the military answer calls and emails from children, with the US president and first lady often taking a few calls.</p>.<p>The US department of agriculture said that Mr Claus and his reindeer had been granted a special movement permit to enter the country and were "fit for landing on rooftops."</p>