Special 'Arthur Christmas' Segment Coincides With Movie Release

This year in the holiday release of "Arthur Christmas," Santa's North Pole has turned to high technology to run a precise operation in getting billions of gifts delivered around the world. Run by thousands of computer-savvy elves, the North Pole uses NASA-style technology to track the delivery of gifts around the Earth as they are being delivered by Santa's high speed S-1. The S-1 is a giant spacecraft in the shape of a sleigh.

Sony Pictures Animation team created a special one-minute segment from the film to help bring attention to the many high-tech gadgets and everyday items that come from NASA technology. The educational segment premiered on the Smithsonian Channel on Tuesday. It also can be downloaded for use by educators.

"This was an exciting opportunity for us to have real examples of space technology being used right here on Earth featured in a family holiday film," said Daniel Lockney, NASA's technology transfer program executive at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "NASA is constantly creating innovative technologies to enable our current and future missions. Many of these technologies get further developed and turned into consumer products by American industries, creating jobs, fueling the economy, and saving and improving lives around the planet."

NASA's technology transfer program provides corporations and innovators with opportunities to bring technology initially developed for space to consumers around the world. Hundreds of examples of NASA spinoff technologies and innovations that have become viable commercial products and are now used in our everyday lives can be found at NASA's Spinoff website.

Sony Pictures Animation is the creator of "Arthur Christmas," directed by Sarah Smith. The film is a 3D, animated, holiday feature starring the voices of James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy and Imelda Staunton. It opened in theaters across the US on Wednesday.

FMI: www.smithsonianchannel.com ; www.nasa.gov