Space shuttle Atlantis' astronauts will spend Thanksgiving checking their ship for the ride home.

The astronauts will test Atlantis' flight systems Thursday morning, take questions from TV reporters and then settle down to a holiday meal.

The astronauts were expecting to dine on leftovers, but they have been
treated to a surprise turkey dinner instead.

When they took out their meal pouches, they found turkey, candied yams, freeze-dried stuffing and green beans. All they had to do was add water for an instant Thanksgiving dinner.

A NASA spokesman speculates that the crew of the International Space Station sneaked the meals into the shuttle before it undocked Wednesday. The shuttle dropped off tons of big spare parts.

Commander Charles Hobaugh says Thanksgiving isn't as much about the food you eat as the company you keep, and he calls his company "outstanding." Still, he says he can't wait to get home and share a late Thanksgiving meal with his family.

Atlantis has been cleared to return to Earth Friday. Good weather is forecast for the scheduled landing 9:44 a.m. Eastern time.

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