Pam Melroy's first interview from space

It's day four for Space Shuttle Commander Pam Melroy and her crew. After three busy days of inspections and docking with the International Space Station, Rochester native Pam Melroy took some time to speak with us for the first time from space.

"I would say that I am consciously confident. I believe in the crew. I know that they're ready to do this task and both crews are ready to cope with whatever comes. We're very hopeful," said Pam Melroy, Space Shuttle Commander.

Hopeful the mission will go smoothly without a hitch. Melroy is the second woman to command the space shuttle. The first was Eileen Collins. This is Melroy's third trip to space. She says each time seems to be more challenging.

"Well, the first few days in any mission is chaotic is probably a better word. We've just added so much stuff with flight day two with inspections and so forth we just felt that we were going straight from one thing to the next hardly having any time to sit and think about it," said Melroy.

The crew's mission is to deliver and link the Harmony module with the International Space Station. The hatch was opened Saturday morning. Crew members spent most of today hooking Harmony's systems for use.

"I think for me the most challenging part has been wanting to be in three places at once. I want to be where the big things are happening so I can be there to help or to watch and if anything goes wrong to know about it right away," said Melroy.

Melroy signs off with a message for the Flower City.

"Please tell everyone in Rochester we appreciate the support. It's been wonderful to call Rochester my hometown," said Melroy.