Astronauts: Space station lacks decorations

The International Space Station

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) -- The astronauts who just returned from the International Space Station say it won't be a true home until the first occupants add their own personal touches.

"Basically, right now it's like a house with no decorations," astronaut Edward Lu said Thursday. "The thing that makes your personal home your home is the fact that it's got your pictures, your mementos and stuff like that."

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International Space Station

Space shuttle Atlantis' five American astronauts and two Russian cosmonauts flew back to Houston on Thursday, one day after ending a successful mission to outfit the space station. Once Discovery hauls up more space station parts early next month, the first permanent crew will be clear to go.

The station's first residents -- astronaut Bill Shepherd and cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev -- are scheduled to blast off October 30 from Kazakhstan. They will arrive at the orbiting complex two days later for a four-month stay.

"One thing that each crew member needs to bring with them is a little touch of home to remind you of what you've left behind," said Atlantis' pilot, Scott Altman. "That will be the touch that turns things from a house into a home."

The shuttle astronauts left behind some notes and other small surprises for Shepherd and his crew, but would not divulge details.

Copyright 2000 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Human Space Flight (HSF) - International Space Station
Boeing's International Space Station page
Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis (OV-104)
Zarya: The Control Module
NASA

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