ISS gets tips from Martha

Martha Stewart talked with ISS commander Michael Lopez-Alegria and flight engineer Sunita Williams for about 20 minutes this week. The footage will be used on her television show later this year. The 'domestic diva' asked about life on board the space station from laundry to meals to interior decorating.

Why this sudden interest in how people live in space and how to improve the accommodations? Martha's close friend Charles Simonyi is scheduled to head up to the station in April as the fifth private spaceflight participant. "Please take care of Charles while he's there," she requested of the ISS Expedition 14 crew.

Martha got a good taste of space herself during a 2006 ZERO-G flight (part of Charles' spaceflight training). She used her experience in microgravity to discuss weightless curtains with some degree of expertise. Does this mean the station may be getting a house call from the decorating expert? Is a hot glue gun approved for use in space for handmade crafts?!

More coverage at USA Today and New Scientist Space Blog.