In my mind, public space travel will precede efforts toward exploration -- be it returning to the moon, going to Mars, visiting asteroids, or whatever seems appropriate. We've got millions and millions of people who want to go into space, who are willing to pay. When you figure in the payload potential of customers, everything changes.

One of the major problems with long-term deep space human flight is the requirement for radiation shielding.

My sister called me "Buzzard" when I was a baby - she couldn't say "Brother" so I've been Buzz my whole life.

I've been to the Titanic in a yellow submarine and the North Pole in a Russian nuclear ice breaker.

Mars has a bit of air pressure; maybe we can build up that atmosphere to be a bit more accommodating to humans.

Dwelling on an engine failure for a pilot as he rolls down the runway is NOT what he should be thinking about - it's obtaining a smooth liftoff! But in the back of his mind, he knows exactly what to do (or pretty much) and in many cases, if he's alone in the fighter aircraft, he has to leave that aircraft in an ejection seat in a big hurry!

The view from space is like having a globe on your desk -- it's a broadening experience.