Life in space not so bad,
says U.S. astronaut aboard Mir

February 10, 1997
Web posted at: 4:45 p.m. EST

ABOARD THE SPACE STATION MIR (CNN) -- The last month in space has been a "fantastic experience," American astronaut Jerry Linenger told CNN Monday from his post on the Russian space station Mir.

Linenger, 41, who is scheduled to spend more than four months on the Russian space station, said he has some 100 experiments to perform during his expected five-month stay in space.

While American astronauts Shannon Lucid and John Blaha, who have also had extended stays aboard the space station, complained about the isolation and accommodations, Linenger said it's not so bad.

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He keeps in touch with his family via e-mail and as for the accommodations, he said it's no worse than his experience in the Navy aboard U.S. ships.

e-mail home (587K/28 sec. AIFF or WAV sound)
Mir and the Navy (349K/22 sec. AIFF or WAV sound)

His only regret, he said, is that he doesn't have more time to peer out the window.

busy in space (655K/30 sec. AIFF or WAV sound)

"I've still got plenty of interest in looking out the window because I've only done it once a day," he said. "This morning I saw the Himalayas coming up over India. It was a fantastic view, so I'm not sure five months is going to be long enough up here."

During the interview with CNN, Linenger had an opportunity to talk to his mother, Fran Linenger, who was on the phone from Eastpointe, Michigan.

He waved a Michigan state flag and said hello to his family and friends back home.

"As long as you're feeling good up there we're all feeling good down here," Linenger told her son.

 

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Related stories:

• Atlantis brings astronaut home from Mir - January 22, 1997
• Shuttle Atlantis pulls away from Mir - January 19, 1997
• Atlantis prepares to undock from Mir - January 19, 1997
• Contact: Atlantis docks with Mir - January 15, 1997

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