We feel that this stands as a symbol of the insatiable curiosity of all mankind to explore the unknown.

Most people never believed in the real possibility of going to the moon, and neither did I until I was in my twenties.

I inherited depression from my mother's side of the family. Her father committed suicide. She committed suicide the year before I went to the moon.

The urge to explore has propelled evolution since the first water creatures reconnoitered the land. Like all living systems, cultures cannot remain static; they evolve or decline. They explore or expire. . . . Beyond all rationales, space flight is a spiritual quest in the broadest sense, one promising a revitalization of humanity and a rebirth of hope no less profound than the great opening out of mind and spirit at the dawn of our modern age.

As someone who flew two space capsules and twice landed in the ocean, I can attest from personal experience how much logistics work is needed to get you home.

I really hate to be put in the position of trying to justify something, a decision that was made. I'm a military guy: when a decision is made, I go along with it, whatever the manufactured controversy and criticism.

You are not going to change the minds of people who are looking for attention.