NORTH POLE — It's getting close, Christmas Eve is almost here, and we've checked in with Santa and the fine folks at North American Aerospace Defense Command to make sure all systems are go for the big trip around the world.

According to NORAD Commander Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr., the Canadian contingent will pick up on Santa's track once he departs the North Pole early Dec. 24.

"We are here and ready to make sure you are tracked and safe when traveling around the world and when you enter North American air space," said Jacoby in a teleconference online with Santa. "From the time you leave the North Pole until the time you get back, we'll be keeping an eye on you to make sure you are safe."

Flying alongside Santa this year will be two specially designated pilots, flying in either F-15, F-16 or F-22 fighter jets.

"We are keeping an eye on ice flows and shipping lanes near the North Pole, and our satellite operators will have a bird's eye view of Santa's trip, with the infrared signature from Rudolph's nose visible all the way across the globe to our space-based infrared satellites," said NORAD Canadian Forces Deputy Lt. Gen. Alain Parent, also dialed in on the teleconference.

Parent said that radar installations in northern Canada and Alaska, as well as Aegis cruisers at sea will provide NORAD with indications not only when Santa leaves his home, but when he approaches North America.

"We will also be tracking you with our Santa Cams and fighter jets and while all of this is going on we will be feeding that information to our Santa trackers, who will be taking calls and let everyone know your location and that they need to go to bed on time," said Parent.

Beginning on Dec. 24, track Santa online at NORADSanta.org. Activities for kids online can be found here.

Details: How NORAD tracks Santa

NORAD uses four high-tech systems to track Santa – radar, satellites, Santa Cams and fighter jets.

Tracking Santa starts with the NORAD radar system called the North Warning System. This powerful radar system consists of 47 installations strung across the northern border of North America. On Dec. 24, NORAD monitors the radar systems continuously for indications that Santa Claus has left the North Pole.

The moment that radar indicates Santa has lifted off, NORAD uses its second detection system. Satellites positioned in geo-synchronous orbit at 22,300 miles from Earth's surface are equipped with infrared sensors, which enable them to detect heat. Amazingly, Rudolph's bright red nose gives off an infrared signature, which allows the satellites to detect Rudolph and Santa.

The third tracking system is the Santa Cam network. NORAD began using it in 1998, which is the year the Santa Tracking program was put on the Internet. Santa Cams are ultra-cool, high-tech, high-speed digital cameras that are pre-positioned at many locations around the world. NORAD only uses these cameras once a year. The cameras capture images and videos of Santa and his reindeer as they make their journey around the world.

The fourth system is made up of fighter jets. Canadian NORAD fighter pilots flying the CF-18 fighter jets intercept and welcome Santa to North America. In the United States, American NORAD fighter pilots in either the F-15, F-16 or the F-22 get the thrill of flying alongside Santa and his famous reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and of course, Rudolph.

How does Santa find his way around the country during his annual holiday journey? He uses the National Spatial Reference System, maintained by NOAA's National Geodetic Survey.

The NSRS, defined and managed by the National Geodetic Survey, is a consistent national coordinate system that specifies latitude, longitude, height, scale, gravity, and orientation throughout the nation, as well as how these values change with time.

NSRS consists of the following components:

• A consistent, accurate, and up-to-date National Shoreline;
• the National CORS, a set of Global Positioning System Continuously Operating Reference Stations meeting NOAA geodetic standards for installation, operation, and data distribution;
• a network of permanently marked points including the Federal Base Network, the Cooperative Base Network, and the User Densification Network; and
• a set of accurate models describing dynamic geophysical processes affecting spatial measurements.

NSRS provides a highly accurate, precise, and consistent geographic reference framework throughout the United States. It is the foundation for the National Spatial Data Infrastructure, a critical component of the "information superhighway." NSRS is a significant national resource - one whose value far exceeds its original intended purpose.

NORAD's Santa FAQs:

When will Santa arrive at my house?

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. In most countries, it seems Santa arrives between 9 p.m. and midnight on Dec. 24. If children are still awake when Santa arrives, he moves on to other houses. He returns later...but only when the children are asleep.

What route does Santa travel?

Santa usually starts at the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean and travels west. So, historically, Santa visits the South Pacific first, then New Zealand and Australia. After that, he shoots up to Japan, over to Asia, across to Africa, then onto Western Europe, Canada, the United States, Mexico and Central and South America. Keep in mind, Santa's route can be affected by weather, so it's really unpredictable. NORAD coordinates with Santa's Elf Launch Staff to confirm his launch time, but from that point on, Santa calls the shots. We just track him.

Does Santa visit everyone (i.e. Afghanistan, Israel, non-Christian countries)?

Indeed. Santa visits all homes where children believe in him.

How can Santa travel the world within 24 hours?

NORAD intelligence reports indicate that Santa does not experience time the way we do. His trip seems to take 24 hours to us, but to Santa it might last days, weeks or even months. Santa would not want to rush the important job of delivering presents to children and spreading joy to everyone, so the only logical conclusion is that Santa somehow functions within his own time-space continuum.

Is there a Santa Claus?

Mountains of historical data and more than 50 years of NORAD tracking information leads us to believe that Santa Claus is alive and well in the hearts of people throughout the world.

How old is Santa?

It's hard to know for sure, but NORAD intelligence indicates Santa is AT LEAST 16 centuries old.

What does Santa look like?

Based on flight profile data gathered from over 50 years of NORAD's radar and satellite tracking, NORAD concludes that Santa probably stands about 5-feet 7-inches tall and weighs approximately 260 pounds (before cookies). Based on fighter-aircraft photos, we know he has a generous girth (belly), rosy cheeks from sleigh riding in cold weather and a flowing white beard.

How does Santa get down chimneys?

Although NORAD has different hypotheses and theories as to how Santa actually gets down the chimneys, we don't have definitive information to explain the magical phenomenon.

Do your planes ever intercept Santa?

Over the past 50 years, our fighter jets (F-16s, F-15s, F-22s and CF-18s) have intercepted Santa many, many times. When the jets intercept Santa, they tip their wings to say, "Hello Santa! – NORAD is tracking you again this year!" Santa always waves. He loves to see the pilots!

Does NORAD have any statistics on Santa's sleigh?

NORAD can confirm that Santa's sleigh is a versatile, all weather, multi-purpose, vertical short-take-off and landing vehicle. It is capable of traveling vast distances without refueling and is deployed, as far as we know, only on Dec. 24 (and sometimes briefly for a test flight about a month before Christmas).

Sleigh Technical Data

Designer & Builder - K. Kringle & Elves, Inc.
Probable First Flight - Dec. 24, 343 A.D.
Home Base - North Pole
Length - 75 cc (candy canes) / 150 lp (lollipops)
Width - 40 cc / 80 lp
Height - 55 cc / 110 lp
Note: Length, width and height are without reindeer
Weight at takeoff - 75,000 gd (gumdrops)
Passenger weight at takeoff - Santa Claus 260 pounds
Weight of gifts at takeoff - 60,000 tons
Weight at landing - 80,000 gd (ice & snow accumulation)
Passenger weight at landing - 1,260 pounds
Propulsion - Nine (9) rp (reindeer power)
Armament - Antlers (purely defensive)
Fuel - Hay, oats and carrots (for reindeer)
Emissions - Classified
Climbing speed - One "T" (Twinkle of an eye)
Max speed - Faster than starlight

Where is Santa right now?

Santa is at the North Pole, where he lives with Mrs. Claus and the elves that make toys and take care of the reindeer year round. Each year on Dec. 24, Santa and his reindeer launch from the North Pole very early in the morning for their famous trip around the world. The minute they launch, NORAD starts to track him.

I would rather talk to someone at NORAD to find out where Santa is located. Is there a number I can call?

Yes! The NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center is fully operational beginning at 3 a.m. MST on Dec. 24. You can call 1-877-446-6723to talk directly to a NORAD staff member who will be able to tell you Santa's exact location. Operators are available until 3 a.m. Dec. 25 to answer calls.

Can I send an email to NORAD to find out where Santa is located?

Yes! On Dec. 24, you can send an email to noradtrackssanta@outlook.com. A NORAD staff member will give you Santa's last known location in a return email. You can also track Santa on your mobile phone, through the official Windows 8 app, and you can even chat live with a NORAD operator to find out Santa's location.

Has Santa ever crashed into anything when he was flying around the world?

Santa has been flying for centuries without hitting anything. He must be a great pilot!

Besides tracking Santa, what does NORAD normally do?

NORAD is a bi-national U.S./Canadian military organization responsible for aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning in the defense of North America. NORAD provides warning of impending missile and air attacks, safeguards the air sovereignty of North America, and maintains airborne forces for defense against attack. NORAD performs this important mission 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, on Dec. 24 each year, NORAD has one additional mission: Tracking Santa around the world. To learn more about NORAD, go to www.norad.mil or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/noradnorthcom.

How many people support this effort, and are they active duty military personnel?

More than 1,250 Canadian and American uniformed personnel and DOD civilians volunteer their time on Dec. 24 to answer the thousands of phone calls and emails that flood in from around the world. In addition to the support provided by our corporate contributors to make this program possible, NORAD has two lead project officers who manage the program.