Norad Santa tracker: Will it work during a U.S. government shutdown? [Video]

The military’s tradition of tracking Santa Claus on his gravity-defying sweep across the globe will carry on this Christmas Eve, even if the U.S. government shuts down, officials said Friday.

Each year, at least 100,000 kids call into the North American Aerospace Defense Command to inquire about Santa’s location. Millions more follow online.

“We fully expect for Santa to take flight on Dec. 24 and Norad will track him,” the U.S.-Canadian agency said in a statement.

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On any other night, Norad is scanning the heavens for potential threats, such as last year’s Chinese spy balloon. But on Christmas Eve, volunteers in Colorado Springs, Colo., are fielding questions like, “When is Santa coming to my house?” and, “Am I on the naughty or nice list?”

The endeavour is supported by local and corporate sponsors, who …