U.S. President George W. Bush put in a private call to the space shuttle Discovery crew on Tuesday, thanking them for their work, NASA said.

During the phone call, Bush wished the astronauts well, congratulated them on their space walks and invited them to the White House. Bush told crew members he had "watched closely" as astronauts Piers Sellers and Michael Fossum conducted a space walk, according to White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.

"He said that the astronauts represent the best of service and exploration and thanked them for what they're doing," Perino said.

Perino said Bush told the astronauts: "When you're back, I hope you can come to the White House. Please bring your families. I want to welcome you to the White House."

After three years of work to fix the problems that led to the Columbia accident, NASA officials said they were feeling good about Discovery's apparently successful flight.

Source: Xinhua