Well, with so many space shuttle missions that we’ve done, I think it’s just sort of natural that each one hasn’t necessarily gotten the attention that the early ones did.

I don’t know of any issues associated with alcohol before flight.

I don’t recall any interest in science in particular. It came later in college.

I’ll tell you, being involved in human space flight, it is an emotional endeavor. I think it brings in the highest highs and the lowest lows.

I realized how important it was to know something about aviation, and it was something I was interested in, so I followed my brother’s footsteps and obtained my pilot’s license.

That’s what we want to do here at Johnson Space Center. I think what we have always brought to NASA and brought to the country is trying to push the boundaries, trying to go to the next level.

We are involved in technology development for, you know, missions that we hope to plan that would take us to an asteroid and eventually to Mars.

I feel very privileged. But what I really hope for young people is that they find a career they’re passionate about, something that’s challenging and worthwhile.

Astronauts are very professional and when they’re preparing for launch, they prepare for it as the most serious endeavor of our lives.

Education is what allows you to stand out

It’s fun to work the robotic arm in part because it’s really a team effort.

What everyone in the astronaut corps shares in common is not gender or ethnic background, but motivation, perseverance, and desire – the desire to participate in a voyage of discovery.

Don’t be afraid to reach for the stars

I tell students that the opportunities I had were a result of having a good educational background. Education is what allows you to stand out.