CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Wake-up time aboard the space shuttle Challenger today turned into a 'battle of the bands.'
Mission control in Houston blasted Challenger's five astronauts shortly after 1:30 a.m. EDT with a medley of wake-up music -- the Texas A&M University war hymn, reveille and a special version of 'When You're Smiling,' rendered by astronaut Mary Cleave's father.
Not to be outdone, the shuttle crew shot back with a little morning music from space -- the twangy 'Tequila Sunrise' by the Eagles.
'You recognize what we played for you?' asked commander Robert Crippen, an unabashed fan of country and western music.
'We think it was 'Tequila Sunrise,'' said Ms. Cleave, the mission control communicator who is one of seven other women in the space corps awaiting a chance to follow Sally Ride into orbit.
'You know why we're such a happy crew,' cracked astronaut John Fabian.
The crew has been awakened each of its first three days in space by the A&M fight song -- a zinger for Crippen, a graduate of the University of Texas, A&M's fiercest rival.
'What's that funny song you guys make us wake up to every morning?' joked Crippen.
'Well, we thought maybe you could guess what the tune was by now,' responded Ms. Cleave.
'We're working on it,' laughed Crippen.
