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Astronauts replenish ISS

SPACE CENTER (HOUSTON): Astronauts on Sunday exchanged supplies for trash that has accumulated on the International Space Station since shuttles were grounded after the 2003 Columbia tragedy.

They also prepared for a second space-walk set for Monday.

Space shuttle Discovery, which docked at the orbiting outpost on Thursday, became the first shuttle to return to orbit last week.

Among the mission's goals: Resupply the station and remove the mounds of trash that have accumulated in recent years.

The astronauts are unloading 13.6 tonnes of cargo and supplies.

They expect to return to Earth with 11.8 tonnes of trash and other items that are no longer needed on the station.

When the station's two-man crew awoke on Sunday, they were told that their seven Discovery guests would remain at the station for an additional day. A ninth day at the station was approved late on Saturday, days after NASA decided to ground future shuttle missions because an almost one-pound piece of foam broke free of Discovery's external fuel tank.

AP

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