(18 May 1997) Natural Sound
Astronauts aboard the Mir Space Station have started work loading aboard fresh supplies and equipment from the Space Shuttle Atlantis.
NASA let the astronauts have a longer-than-usual sleep period after Saturday's successful docking with the space station.
And there was a special welcome for British-born astronaut Michael Foale - the newest member of the Mir team.
The Atlantis astronauts aboard the Mir space station were woken up to the tune of "God Save the Queen" Sunday.
The British National anthem was played in honour of British-born astronaut Michael Foale.
He's due to spend the next four and a half months on Mir.
UP SOUND (Mission Control):
"Good morning Atlantis, and we sure wish Mike Godspeed as the newest crew member of Mir and send him off with a tribute to his homeland"
The crew quickly resumed their preliminary task - loading supplies off the space shuttle.
More than 3,700 pounds of equipment had to be hauled from the shuttle to Mir and another 2,500 pounds of supplies from Mir to Atlantis.
But within hours of the rendezvous, one of their most important jobs had already been completed.
A new oxygen generator was installed to replace a broken unit.
Atlantis and Mir are to remain linked nearly 250 miles (400 kilometers) above Earth until they uncouple Wednesday night.
The shuttle is scheduled to land next Saturday.
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