
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, October 22, 1993                   TAG: 9310220117
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA.                                LENGTH: Short

ASTRONAUT FIXES TOILET, GUESTS ON TALK SHOW

Columbia astronaut Bill McArthur made his debut Thursday as a space shuttle plumber and a high-flying radio talk show guest.

After fixing the shuttle's leaky toilet, McArthur fielded questions from seven people who called National Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation" program. The show's eight phone lines were filled by people eager to talk to an astronaut in space.

"This must be the longest-distance phone call I've ever made," said Patrick, a caller from Philadelphia.

"I'm just wondering, you know, sometimes you hear people talk about, you know, the spiritual effect it has on you or personal feelings about how it affects your life later when you come back from being in space. I'm wondering, while I get to talk to someone out there, how do you feel right now about that? Do you think it will affect you long term or no?"

McArthur, an Army officer making his first space flight, replied that the short-term effect is profound "and I think it will be that way for the rest of my life." - Associated Press

by CNB