The president spends a half hour on the phone with the crew of the shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station, congratulating them and asking them about space.

To one long-haired astronaut: “Were you tempted to cut your hair shorter while you were up there? Or is it fun in weightlessness?”

Joined by Sen. Hutchison and D.C.-area students, among others. Pool report here.

Call comes one day before the shuttle prepares to undock from the International Space Station and begin its return to Earth.